leaving

it's interesting how sometimes you have to leave where you're at in order to see things for what they are... or perhaps even to see that things aren't what you thought they were. because when you leave the place you are comfortable in you begin to ask questions and start to see things in a new way. you realize that nothing that is happening to you or around you is normal. what is normal? and why are we assumed to behave a certain way? why is it not "normal" to go somewhere whithout having a plan? you begin to question and think harder about the simple and mundane. and in a new place it seems as though nothing can or should be taken for granted because it is all a part of your experience. and you better soak it all up cuz you know you won't be there forever.

when you're stuck in the same place for too long, it's hard to step out of your comfort zone. you become trapped within your daily routines, occasionally trying something new, however, your view of your surroundings has already been set in stone and it is difficult to adjust your eyes to new lighting.

so what's it about? it's about the 2 guys that sell fruit and vegetables on the side of the road. in your own setting, they are just "those guys" and they stay that way in your mind because you are comfortable where you're at and don't feel the need to mingle your life with their's. but in a new place, doing just that is an adventure. those 2 guys become j.r., more affectionately referred to as frickin indiana jones, and jimmy, the hustler, who actually have more in common with you than you think. indiana jones studied cultural anthropology and went on to work with native tribes in the upper north west and jimmy is just trying to make a living and loves fresh cantalope. it makes me wonder who "those guys" are back home.

what i'm getting at is that we take life for granted and even people for granted when we are comfortable. but that's just it. we weren't meant to live comfortable lives centered around ourselves. and it took leaving the things i knew (or thought i knew) for me to figure that out.

so where are you and how long have you been there? perhaps it's time to leave. time to leave your own idea of comfort and venture into the big wide world around you. time to ask questions and see things from a different point of view. it's time to go. so pack your bags. and leave. but don't worry. you'll be back.

mt. tabor...my new favorite place

when you live in a city, it is necessary to have a place of escape. somewhere to go to that no matter what mood you are in, you know that place will be just what you need. in the past that place for me was the beach, but now that the beach is an hour away, i have found my new place. and the name of it is mt. tabor. hiking up and down the winding paths you could almost convince yourself that you're somewhere far away from city life and nature itself is the only company you keep. but once you reach the top, you have a complete and almost breathtaking view of the city below. it's the sight of a city but the sound of nature. you can hear no horns, no cars driving by, no green peace people bribing you to change the world with them.. just birds and wind rustling through the trees, and occasionally the sound of a flute coming from the musician of the mountain(whom i have only spotted once). it's the prime place to read, crochet, journal, modpodge, think, play frisbee, and just be. it's my escape and i will truly miss it when i leave.

In the summertime the sun don't shine in the town we live in..

so i'm beginning to realize the affects of the lack of sunshine in the upper north west. with only 68 out of the 365 days a year being clear, sunny days, it gets a little gloomy here in portland. the thing that i'm confused about is that it's summer time. june 3. ok so not exactly summer, but where are those 68 days of sun? i've seen approximately 3 half days since i've been here, which i guess equals to about 1.5 full days, so there's gotta be at least another 66.5 days of good sunny weather out there just waiting to be found. i've always been a huge fan of rain but i could go for a nice sunshiny day right about now. so in the words of matt costa; it's summertime come on take the sun off the shelf. but it's so gloomy. doo doo. yeah it's so gloomy.