Some sketchbook pages differentiating the harnesses, hooks, cams, atcs, belaying thingies, etc

Only one extra-curricular activity as of late: rock climbing. (In the gym, for now, so maybe I should say resin climbing, how sexy is that?) As much as my bruised up knees and hands. It's so worth it.

roomies

My best college buddy came to visit last week. We spent the week trying to have the ultimate west coast experience. No one can say we didn't try. Beach, palm trees, iced coffee, flea market, Sunset strip and shopping. I miss her already.

Side note: we got kicked out of Sony Pictures and banned forever. 

the fifth education

In Aborigine tribes in Australia, people change their names routinely. Once you outgrow the name you were born with and enter into a new phase of life, you take on a new name. Embracing a new identity, like a lizard leaving the old skin behind.

I remember, there was a guy who changed his name at Quaker meeting. Of course the Quakers were all accepting of him, but many forgot again and again that his new name was now Heartsong, so that caused some problems (albeit passive-aggressive problems.)

If the idea weren't considered somewhat self-indulgent in our culture, I'd go for it. It seems to correspond more to the tumultuous aspects of living, how we change, gain some things and lose others.

 Life does seem to be broken up into sizable chunks, like historical eras that we can look back on, usually punctuated by a location or significant relationship. After you move on, embarking on a new "era," you are not the same person, so why not change the name?

Shasta

Click to see pano larger

The Sunset over Mount Shasta. A very enchanting place. From the locals you hear stories about aliens, strange lights and clouds, Lemuria and special cave entrances, disembodied beings and Native American spirits. People go here to be enlightened, cults visit for their cult activities and the town at the base is full of esoteric anomalies. I'll have to post a picture of the gas station converted into a crystal shop. The psychic readings happen in the converted fridge area where beer and chocolate milk used to be.

But it's definitely not all fun and games. Shasta is still one of the highest peaks in the US, only 326 feet shy of Mount Whitney. Many people under the spell of their mystic experience tempt the power of nature, and generally lose. Last year a guy practicing in a meditation group at one of the lower camps was (according to the rest of the group) called to do something on the mountain, so he took off his shoes and tried to climb, wearing only a t-shirt and sweatpants. He was found dead the next day. Only 19 years old.

Nature is a funny thing. You start feeling all warm and fuzzy enshrouded in a beautiful afternoon glow and surrounded by happy moss covered trees. You start thinking nature is on your side. That it loves you and would never hurt you. I guess that's when it's easy to do something stupid.

** These pictures are taken from a watchtower in Shasta Lake.

Manzanar & Camping

These are a few shots from last year's Manzanar Pilgrimage. Every year the numbers grow. It's really an outstanding event, well organized, inspired, and important. They will recognize Shibata this year for his contributions.. the biggest contribution... starting the whole thing.

The Taiko drumming is the highlight for me. It's moving with the backdrop of those mountains. 

Shibat himself with the rest of the camping crew. It's going to be a very emotional year, but I think it will be nice to share our memories. I can't imagine talking stories around the camp will ever be the same though....

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” — Helen Keller

Some comforting words from a very strong woman.

I guess Miss Keller has it right. When we lose someone, they aren't really gone. You embody everything that has come before.

kawa no nagare no you ni - Misora Hibari

A lovely song for you today. It was sung by a Japanese musical legend, Misora Hibari. A star in Japan similar to our Aretha Franklin maybe?

Shirazu shirazu aruite kita  //  The path is narrow and long and
Hosoku nagai kono miti  //   We walk along it without much thought but
Furi kaereba haruka tooku  //   If we turn our heads, far in the distance
Furusato ga mieru   //   We can see our places of origin.
Dekoboko miti ya magari kunetta miti   //   Bumpy and winding; these uncharted roads,
Tizu sae nai sore mo mata dinsei  //  But then again- that is life isn't it?

Aa kawa no nagare no you ni  //  Ah, like the flow of the river,
Yuruyaka ni   //   Laid back
Ikutsu mo didai wa suguite  //  So much time passes
Aa kawa no nagare no you ni  //  Ah, like the flow of the river,
Tomedo naku  //  Endlessly
Sora ga tasogare ni somaru dake  //  The distant sky saturated with twilight

Ikiru koto wa tabi suru koto  //  To live is to journey

Owari no nai kono miti  //  On this path without an end
Ai suru hito soba ni tsurete  //  and people we love draw near us
Yume sagashi nagara  //  As we search for our dreams
Ame ni furarete nukarunda miti demo  //  Even though the rains may fall, muddying the way
Itsuka wa mata hareru hi ga kuru kara  //  Someday, again, another clear day will surely come

Aa kawa no nagare no you ni  //  Ah, like the flow of the river,

Odayaka ni  //  Calmly
Kono mi o makasete itai  //  We seek to release ourselves
Aa kawa no nagare no you ni  //  Ah, like the flow of the river
Utsuriyuku  //  As we wait
Kisetsu yukidoke o matinagara  //  For the thaws of the coming seasons

Aa kawa no nagare no you ni  //  Ah, like the flow of the river,
Odayaka ni  //  Calmly
Kono mi o makasete itai  //  We release ourselves
Aa kawa no nagare no you ni  //  Ah, like the flow of the river,
Itsumademo  //  Forever
Aoi seseragui o kikinagara  //  As we listen to the flow of the blue.

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All these years I took for granted that we'd have him forever. There's a gigantic hole now.