Lori Deschene helped herself and then all of us by writing and aggregating simple wisdoms to life’s persistent and most difficult questions. She created the Tiny Buddha, and I can only assume an inherent good has also turned out to be good business. She has a popular Twitter feed and a new book out, but it was this video I stumbled upon that got my attention. In it, Lori gives a very personal talk.
In no small way, her story inspired me to revisit what I write, and how I share it. For example, my website has expressed a big part of who I am for a very long time, especially in how I capture and share the unique experiences in my life. Looking back, I fear I may have sometimes confused the act of publishing, with actual sharing. Like many people, I self-censor more than I should. I suppose we all do this to some degree for a whole host of reasons, good and bad, be it in the care of others or in hiding from ourselves. I greatly admire those, even the buffoons, that can get out of their own damn way long enough to be exactly who they are—warts, rants and all.
Despite some of the professional successes I’ve experienced in my life and the confidence I can exhibit, at times, I remain partly obscured by my own craft and cleverness. Most people would never know it, but I do. And in those moments, I wish I could ignore the risks and better focus on being totally present and authentic, without the burden of being someone or getting somewhere.
It’s great to see Lori and other folks doing tiny things that serve as great big models for authenticity, and for how, despite all the noise and virtual means, we can better connect with the people around us.
Second round of rough 16mm film tests with Bolex cameras and various lenses. My lovely subjects deserve much better. Starring Jamie and Migee. Song performed by Jamie Tidwell.
Dad and Sue were in town visiting for a few days for his annual checkup at SCCA. So naturally, we spent some time at our favorite watering holes: Shilshole Marina and the ferry to and walk around Bainbridge Island. While they were here, I also shot this little 16mm motion picture film of the two of them pretending to meet for the first time. And of course, Wesley stars.
Dad, Sue and Wesley on the ferry to Bainbridge Island
Just back from 10 days off the grid, hiking alone from the Glacier Peak Wilderness to Snoqualmie Pass. The first three days was spent very much alone, on a trail that hadn’t been maintained or visited in months. Then on the forth day I hit the Pacific Crest Trail and headed south. Within a couple hours I crossed paths with several through hikers heading north, a week from completing what would have been a four month trek from Mexico to British Columbia. Pretty impressive, that. And though I spent considerable time that day contemplating a similar trip, I was none the less quite content with the peaceful lake I had come to for the evening.
While I have done several other backpacking trips in recent years, none of them kept me off the phone, internet and various other digital trappings quite this long. A strange, but no doubt very healthy thing to do more often.
Just finished scanning the last remaining films from the road trip and will post a few on the North America gallery page and the Egypt gallery page. I’m currently working on some short movies related to previous posts and untold moments, and soon hope to start a more ambitious project inspired by the trip. To anyone interested, I’m offering the free exhibition of ten images from My Egyptian Revolution, to any gallery, school or public space. I have a few sets of large prints that I would be happy to send out. Underlying all the photographs of beautiful scenery and iconic sites are a series of interesting stories about hitting the road, and the pros (and cons) of opening yourself up to new things.
The U2 concert was an epic production on a beautiful spring night at Seattle’s football stadium, and there was some 70,000 people there. It was a nice surprise to get a little VIP treatment, despite doing very little to deserve it. That’s a picture of me holding one of The Edge’s guitars, and Eddie Vedder came by to say hello. Though the best part of the night was simply getting to hang out with my old friend, George.
My friend, George (on right), who's with Pearl Jam, and Dallas, who's with U2.
Backstage and holding one of The Edge's guitars
I'm not usually one for big shows, but have to admit this was pretty impressive.
After securing a little place today in the Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle, Wes and I made the short drive down to Portland—marking the end of my 25,000+ mile journey with a late dinner and movie at my favorite Oregon institution. Instead of a holiday barbeque or proper veteran remembrances tomorrow, I will be spending the day organizing my stuff and packing up a moving truck. And somewhere in there, I will try to turn the page.
TUESDAY – THURSDAY:
Storm chasing through the Heartland. Punxsutawny Phil, Pittsburg vista, St. Louis, and Sioux Falls.
FRIDAY:
Exploring the Badlands, Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore, and the long drive through Wyoming and Montana.
SATURDAY:
Arriving the Columbia River Gorge today.
After a couple nice visits during my travels around the Northeast and on either side of Egypt, I said goodbye yesterday to my dad and Sue, and their peaceful home in Honeoye Falls, New York. We are all getting old, but it’s not too late to stay young and foolish. Music is “Almost Home” by Hem.