Vote Across America
0 commentsCheck out the blog of the guys who rode with me to Denver. It's the VOTE graffiti guy, Clark and his friend and photog, Nick. The feed is on the right or click here.
Peace,
Dallas
What a Spectacle!
0 commentsFrom my night attending the Spectacle event held at the world famous Spigel Tent last week.
Photos from The Portrait Corner
The Psychology of Blogging
0 commentsI often wonder why it is that people blog. Humans are social creatures. Most of us prefer to keep in contact with others. Is there a psychological aspect to this phenomenon? A need be heard or understood?
Speaking personally, I blog mostly out of a desire to share experience. Sometimes blogging can come off as a "look at me!" type of activity. Do some of us inherently seek audience? Even if so, my intent is to inspire others to Do and Dream in their own way. I hope to entertain, educate and enlighten, not be egotistical. None the less, at times I do sense a desire to be heard, understood and accepted.
I've come to recognize that there is an danger in seeking approval or acceptance outside of one's own self. In doing so, we give away the ultimate control of our happiness. We have to accept ourselves, without reservation first and foremost. My general approach to life is to make myself feel good so long as I am not impeding the path of any other seeking the same. Basically, if I'm happy ...then I can make you and more people happier from that base position.
I am reading some Harvey Jackins books about Re-evaluation Counseling. In it, he talks about our nature of communication. We all seem to talk, talk, talk.... but who is truly listening? Often, people listen with one ear, but are constantly thinking about how to respond or waiting for their chance to speak. Where we make leaps in our personal growth is when we get a truly impartial ear, which hears us with full active attention, without judgment. The challenge is to listen to yourself without judgment...without that doubting, nagging voice that can appear from time to time.
When we do get that person to truly listen, we get a chance to discharge emotions long held to patterns of pain experienced during our past. It may be our telling of a recent hurt, but is likely part of a longer running record of similarity. Once we release, we heal.
I'm glad I found these books. They showed up unexpectedly when I stopped by my last home, Grand Space, to rummage the giveaway of leftover items from previous residents. After reading only a few pages of the Human Side of Being Human and I was aware of a profound sense of "knowing" the material. Often, when I read something... it seems familiar and just "makes sense". This indicates that I am on the right path... that it resonates with my core vibration. I'm looking forward to unveiling my true nature as I peel back more layers of personality. As I continue my own blogging experiments, I may reveal more personal aspects of the rediscovery of my Self. In doing so, I hope you find value.
Thanks for reading.
KKoney Island Theme - Kostume Kult
0 commentsHere's a NY Times article on Burning Man. It is focused around our Kostume Kult camp.
From a slide show:
Fresh, Fuzzy, Warm and Juicy
0 commentsAfter an uneventful night in Cleveland the truck heads towards our diversion du jour. A short ferry ride brings us to Put-in-Bay, Ohio, a resort island set on Lake Erie.
The High Tide bar next to Axel and Harry's restaurant provides a spectacular setting. The late day sun shimmers as we sit sipping a cold cocktail at water's edge. As the sun approaches set, a full moon appears on the opposite horizon, eager to illuminate the summer sky.
Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation. People shuttle themselves all around the island in putt putt style. I hop on my bike to scout the scene.
I don't make it past the first T-shirt shop and the rack of funky hats: A black number with purple streaks; a zebra hat with a flexible wide brim and braided tails (perfect for dipping in cold water to keep my neck cool); a fuzzy red, white and blue number suitable for any Liberty Lover and a baby blue elephant hat that let's me flap his ears when I pull a string.
Which one did I get? All of them, of course. Only $6 each. I guess the consumer bug hit me. I'm going to camp with Kostume Kult and have access to tons of stuff to wear, but a few extra hats can't hurt. I can always wear them once and pass them on for someone new to enjoy. That's the best way to share the fun.
My favorite part of the day occurred earlier in the afternoon before we boarded the ferry. A hand written sign alerted us to a road side orchard of ripe fruit. I pull over quickly to investigate the harvest. The man tells me that the peaches were just pulled from the tree moments earlier. Four dollars nets me a half dozen of the sweet treats.
The juice drips down the corner of my lips as I work my mouth around this tender delicacy. My tongue can sense a change in temperature from one side to the other. It's warmer on one half. Our life sustaining star has impressed itself upon the fuzzy face of my fresh and fruity friend. I can actually taste the sunshine! It doesn't get much better than this, does it?
Monopoly Men - Who's In Control?
0 commentsMore information about the mess we are in and how we are being led into a state of despotism. It's less than an hour... check it out if you have time. It's a good one.
Another must watch is Fiat Empire - Why the Federal Reserve Violates the U.S. Constitution, inspired by the book The Creature From Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin. In it, you'll learn why our money is worthless. And how our national wealth has been stolen in violation of the Constitution.
BRC or Bust!
2 commentsI type this from the back seat of my extended cab pickup after having left NYC and the island of Manhattan, crossing over the George Washington bridge into NJ.
As the rain pours, I learn that it streams into the cab down the nylon strapping used to hold a luggage carrier to the rackless roof. Wow. I have my own private indoor waterfall. How special. [note to self: fix this].
Even though I knew for a week that I was leaving today, procrastination crept in just enough to allow for the proper spark of spontaneity that I prefer.
Skipping the Wednesday night pre-packing routine in favor of a surprise birthday party on a rooftop led to a late night of revelry. Who can pass up the sunset, a moonrise, dreamy djs, birthday balloons that swallow whole humans and more fire than you can burn a stick with? Not I.
Sleeping in for one last night atop a comfy bed, I roll over to soak and snooze in the sheets a little extra before I gobble some eggs. A last look around, and off to get the rest of my gear.
My travel partners arrive at my storage in Dumbo ready to jump in the Chevy and roll. The scene grows a little tense during my ninety minute load in. Patience was tested. We wanted to leave at four and now it's six o'clock.
The doors are shut and the car started moments before the downpour of the day. So much rain at once resulted in spectacular streaming pillars of water spilling down from the Manhattan bridge above. After waiting out the rain, the sun streams it's way across the Brooklyn bridge with a truck full of road hungry travelers. We are met on with crawling traffic along the east river on the FDR. So much for the wide open highway. Soon enough though, we are out of the jungle and cruise controlling along at 75 mph.
An hour later, laughter fills the truck cab when we realize that the can of whip cream that was to go with the raspberries has fallen between the front seat and center console and has been releasing it's creamy goodness all over the floor.
2500 miles to go. And so it begins....
Stolen Video Camera
0 commentsWell, looks like I won't be filming anything with my trusty, rusty and dusty old Panasonic DVX100a. That's because it got lifted from my truck the other week. I left it in open view like a noob. So, that's what I get.... I guess.
I suppose that means it's a sign to start editing all the piles of tapes I have collected over the years. Sort of a shitty way to get a hint though.
One more week in Brooklyn before hitting the road to Burning Man. The theme of the burn is American Dream. What better way to live it then on the open road of Highway USA!
See you out there soon.
Dubai Party
0 commentsHere's a little flavor of the fun had at these underground warehouse/loft parties. This video is from The New Pop.
You'll see a few of my friends from the House of Yes (Kae, Anya and Aaron). And yes, I do know lovable dennis, the naked guy....but not as well as he wishes.
Related post: House of Yes Benefit
Kostume Kult and Burning Man
0 commentsAug 5, 2008 - On the eve of my birthday, I sit in a comfortable garden apartment on a quiet street in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Time keeps on rolling along. Seems like only yesterday I showed up on this planet. Another year passes. I feel younger each time I mark the occasion.
I've been given a very generous two week stay in the apartment of a super talented, highly gifted beautiful soul who graciously offered after meeting me for the first time only hours earlier.
I participated in my first Burning Man Arts Festival experience late August last year while in the midst of my cross country documentation of Bill Inman and Uncovering America by Horseback. I also took the time to drive from Kansas to Queens, NY to attend the New York regional post-Burning Man "decompression" event held at the Queens Museum of Art.
These gatherings are ripe with rambunctiously playful spirit. Dressing up in costume is often a part of the fun. I hadn't had the forethought to procure anything to wear, so when I arrived at the event, I felt slightly out of place. However, I heard that there were some costuming racks, make up and accessories being offered by a group called Kostume Kult. Soon, I was rummaging through fabric and transforming myself. That was it... I caught the costume bug.
This year, Kostume Kult asked if I'd like to camp with them at the Burn. I was very honored to have been asked. I graciously accepted and am making final arrangements to drive from NYC to the Black Rock Desert outside of Reno, NV. We'll all stay together for over a week, along with 30,000-40,000 others in a radically free and expressive city that is born out of the bleak, lifeless, flat dry lake bed that is the Playa of the Black Rock Desert.
I am humbled by the kind and wide open hearts that are at the core of this community. I met the warm and lovely soul who offered me her apartment as a result of my new blossoming friendships with the Kostume Kulters. She commented that all of us felt like a family, so she had no problem trusting me in her home.
I'm very grateful to be sharing amazing experiences with each and every one them. It's a opportunity for expanding core creativity, attaining personal growth, extending community outreach as well as engaging in human and planetary evolution.
OK... that's it for now... off to a crafting session to make stuff for our camp. If you are on the Playa this year, come see us. Our camp address is at 8:08 and Esplanade.
Peace,
Dallas
I participated in my first Burning Man Arts Festival experience late August last year while in the midst of my cross country documentation of Bill Inman and Uncovering America by Horseback. I also took the time to drive from Kansas to Queens, NY to attend the New York regional post-Burning Man "decompression" event held at the Queens Museum of Art.
These gatherings are ripe with rambunctiously playful spirit. Dressing up in costume is often a part of the fun. I hadn't had the forethought to procure anything to wear, so when I arrived at the event, I felt slightly out of place. However, I heard that there were some costuming racks, make up and accessories being offered by a group called Kostume Kult. Soon, I was rummaging through fabric and transforming myself. That was it... I caught the costume bug.
This year, Kostume Kult asked if I'd like to camp with them at the Burn. I was very honored to have been asked. I graciously accepted and am making final arrangements to drive from NYC to the Black Rock Desert outside of Reno, NV. We'll all stay together for over a week, along with 30,000-40,000 others in a radically free and expressive city that is born out of the bleak, lifeless, flat dry lake bed that is the Playa of the Black Rock Desert.
I am humbled by the kind and wide open hearts that are at the core of this community. I met the warm and lovely soul who offered me her apartment as a result of my new blossoming friendships with the Kostume Kulters. She commented that all of us felt like a family, so she had no problem trusting me in her home.
I'm very grateful to be sharing amazing experiences with each and every one them. It's a opportunity for expanding core creativity, attaining personal growth, extending community outreach as well as engaging in human and planetary evolution.
OK... that's it for now... off to a crafting session to make stuff for our camp. If you are on the Playa this year, come see us. Our camp address is at 8:08 and Esplanade.
Peace,
Dallas
Money as Debt
0 commentsDebt, the American Way. A very informative look into monetary theory that you don't learn in public schools. Pay attention, there may be a test later...