Writing is more than documenting an experience; it is its own journey, moving through hardship and exhilaration along a path completely unexpected.  The doing of the thing is the moment of wonder, the breathtaking event of awesomeness that sets thoughts and ideas free and gives them the power to ransack established worlds, and stable ideas. But soon the moment comes when these ideas (along with everything they threw out the front door) right themselves, and drift slowly back, fitting themselves into beautiful patterns full of clarity and understanding. 
These are the …

“Eyes closed, I feel the weight of the bamboo ring resting gently on my hands. The heat of the flames warms my fingers as the bamboo gets lighter and lighter. I send a thought into the universe wishing for a beautiful, long, and meaningful flight.
 
I look across at my friend and see the deepness of the prayers she is sending, sadness, death, love, family, hope, gratitude, freedom. We hang on just a bit longer as the light starts to lift. Another moment passes, another wish sent, another world shared.
 
My …

Last Thursday, after months of contemplation, research and thought (actually years if you go back to the beginning), I received my new camera in the mail.  A Nikon D5000 DSLR with an 18-55mm VR lens and a 70-200mm VR lens.  This weekend I got to play with it a bit, and am starting to learn how to use some of the settings.
Here’s a couple shots that speak to me.

My mom’s living room.  A new floor my brother built and the woodstove that kept me warm for the first 18 years …

Tonight, the day after Thanksgiving, I sit in my living room and listen to the world going to sleep thinking over the past couple wonderful days to those things I am most thankful for, and I begin to write.
 
My family. You are amazing. I tell you this whenever I can, but truly, you are the most amazing people, and the fact that I get to call you family makes my heart sing. You taught me all my first lessons, nurtured my first curiosities, and showed me how to quest for …

Saturday, a goal realized:

I’ve been slacklining for about 6-7 months now.  It’s become a mild addiction, and I rarely go more than 3 or 4 days without setting one up.  We slacklined all over Spain, at the Spot in Boulder all summer, and almost daily in the parks adjacent to my house.  I slackline in my Vibram Five Fingers almost exclusively.  They give me more padding, great grip, and still allow a natural feel of the line.
The slacklining community in Boulder is incredible!  We have some of the best slackliners …