STEINBECK

"it has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. and while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second."
-steinbeck

MT TAM

First post in a little while. Seem to be in a place of reevaluation. This day was nice to clear my mind and enjoy the surroundings. Our particular path crossed a waterfall numerous times, wooden footbridges looked to be hundreds of years old neandering through the forest. The stillness in the water and light coming through the trees are branded on my memory. July marks two years of residence in San Francisco for Alissa and I... 9 months of engagement and 6 months until our wedding. Feeling good.

So im another year older, and despite the fact that youth seems more fleeting each day; i was pleasantly surprised by my newly engaged fiance with a trip to a little known roadside establishment called Nicks Cove on Tomales bay in Petaluma California. After a bit of investigative prying, i found out that nicks has been around for decades but only recently (2007) renovated to it's current state including an amazing restaurant and 12 or so quaint cottages. I really enjoyed my time here. Aside from the obviously beautiful scenery of Tomales bay, and the dozens and dozens of fresh, bbq, and grilled oysters we guzzled down, its inconceivable how a place like this could only be an hour outside the city. I loved the nostalgia of the place because it wasn't like Disneyland. It didn't seem like a facade of an old oyster fishing town. It really was. All of the charm with all of the modern amenities. I could go on and on. Lighting the wood burning stove at night while drinking great local wine in bed with the girl i love, truly elicited a 'how the f did i get here' moment. Anyway, if you are ever sitting at home in your city flat and want something to do for the weekend or even just want to get some amazing bbq oysters with a massive beer (possibly followed by a place to crash) I would definitely back Nicks.

"the coldest winter i ever had was a summer in San Francisco", is what the informed newly relocated San Franciscan has smashed in their ear from the minute they move here. Ye old adage need not apply 2 weekends ago when i received an informal invite to hang in mason park with the crew on a beautifully sunny summer day. It was nice to relive the old days of doing nothing but bullshitting and drinking pbrs with your friends.
In a genuine attempt at avoiding self righteous proclamations, or pseudo-esoteric babbling.. ill just simply say that there is a certain kind of clarity from spending time with people that you care about and know care about you.. Just a bunch of folks sitting around listening to real views and honest opinions.
Ive lately been thinking of the reasons why i feel exhausted by eccentricities of 'creative' people. Sitting in the park that day just made me realize how lucky i am to have the opportunity to know and be surrounded by the people that inspire me through their honesty.

Took a day to recharge over the weekend. Ended up having the pleasant opportunity to spend it with my girl at a wonderful place called SOLAGE, in calistoga. Amazing what hidden and inspiring wonders are right underneath your nose if you take the time to recognize them.

I havent written much in awhile. I forgot how liberating it can be. The time it takes to do everything one must in order to maintain what they call 'normal' occasionally distracts from valuable introspection and simplification in ones life. I was inspired to return to writing today by a friend who shared a brief and concise entry from 'Self Control, Its Kingship and Majesty by William George Jordan, 1905'

It spoke of enlightenment through simplification, which for one reason or another, has resounded in my mind. Perhaps because of the deviations from the 'common course' or influence my life has taken in the past year and perhaps because of the sacrifices I am willing to make in the foreseeable future. Everyone yearns for simplicity; a deduction of peripheral for the sake of clarity. So, with this forum I plan to account things, places, people, teaching, art, music and all things that resound with me as 'catalytic heroes' on my quest for a simpler way of being. Like all things subjective, im sure some will like and some will dislike where im coming from, but above all else i hope this log evokes something, for better or worse.