Nepal Tour pt. 2: In and Out

Never did I think I would fly across the world to spend only four days 4-wheeling into the mountains.  Once again it was back to Nepal for more filming, this time talking to doctors and working with children to start a pilot study for the state of health in rural communities.  The landscape is still as rugged as ever, and the children as cute as can be.  This is but a glimpse into the journey.

The filming was easier this time around, having some prior experience with knowing the routine and what to expect.  But there are still always pleasant surprises.  The last day was spend in Kathmandu which just happened to be the Buddha's Holiday, as well as a full moon.  We woke up at 4:30 in the morning to catch our flight just in time to see the moon setting over the hills.  Bye for the second time, weirdly I hope to see you again.

This is a raw video I took of some of the kids.  Unedited, shaky, and blurry most the time.  When the kids see a camera, they think you are taking a photo, so many crowd around and pose, without knowing the camera is rolling.  The best part is showing the kids afterwards and seeing their reactions.  Imaging ducking down on the ground and having 20 kids huddled around laughing at what they see.  This is one I showed the group and even the mothers, I'd like to say I do it to see their smiles.

Rockenbach Productions

In preparation for starting a company, I thought it suitable to design a logo.  It is based on a goldfish named Honeydew.

It was when I was sitting in my kitchen talking to my fish when I realized that he would make a perfect logo.  I'm not sure what instinct told me that, but I decided to go with it.

It wasn't unti later I finished the drawing that I looked up some information on fish/goldfish as a totem. Here is what I found:

Fish:

Independence, Potential, Adaptation Fish can teach us to adapt to all environments; they can teach us to streamline our lives; they can give us protection when we need it; and connect us to the creative element of life: water.

A Fish swimming down symbolizes the involution of spirit, while a Fish swimming up is the evolution of the spirit. They reveal the strength of the currents of our lives and  see clearly in the murky waters of the future. When Fish entered your life as a Totem, it will often signal one of the senses being awakened: visions, prophetic dreams, or clairaudience is possible. There will be greater contact with the spiritual realm. Goldfish: This Totem brings peace and prosperity to those who have it.  Look for new opportunities and take advantage of them.

Cool, its a good thing I listen to my intuition. Goldfish:

This is what the drawing looks like.  I use this as a template to create a Vector image that I can safely use for any occasion.

At one point I though having a more graphic oriented image would be better, but the translation from drawing to vector became sloppy.  This is still a Vector image, but with less of a blur.  I was happy with this translation and might keep it around for a while.

Gives Me the Gigglies

I haven't been talkative much recently, but that doesn't mean I haven't been brewing up something good.  I need to do research and sift through the ideas before I make a serious post.  Until then, here are some videos that have put a smile on my face; makes me want to take a road trip.




And if your craving some music, here is a nice follow up:

Birthdays

It was my birthday this week... kinda went a little like this :)

SOLIPSIST from Andrew Huang on Vimeo.

Billions and Billions of Stars!

Been watching a lot of videos on space, evolution, life, society, philosophy and more. This I discovered after a strange series of events. I enjoy it for being the most radical idea yet.

... After having post this, I watched some more animations created by Malcolm Sutherland. This second video was "Loosely based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead and inspired by the animation works of Ub Lwerks."

This third video is even better the second time around. Multiple dimensions and continual loops. It M.C. Escher made into minimal animation.

Ideas like these only come from people who think philosophically. I have extremely high respect for this person. Sometimes the most amazing things in our society go completely unnoticed.

Ode to the Dance Floor

I've been going to festivals since I was 14. It started with Reggae on the River for 3 years, then Northwest Reggae the following. By the time I was living in Canada, I made it out to a magical place in Nelson called Shambhala. The Next year I went to 3 more festivals including Shambhala and Soundwave. I then was only able to make it to Soundwave the next year, and in 2011 I made it to none. It was a sad time, especially during the weekend of Basscoast. I spent the whole weekend in discontent looking up towards the Canadian mountains from my house on a hill with the feeling I wasn't where I was supposed to be. But as time passes all you can do is let it go.

Still, because of these many experiences, I will forever be changed. There is a whole universe to be discovered along the west coast of communities of people that come together on a selected weekend of the year. Since then, I've felt unconditional love.

There really is nothing else out there quite like it.

There is many people I know and love in this video, they are all more wonderful then you could ever imagine.

2011 in Retrospect: Places, Events, Books, and Documentaries

Can you have adventure while maintaining stability? Is it just a state of mind?
Stability is an illusion. Adventure just reminds you.

-DearCokeTalk

Every year I make it a goal to go places I've never been, so far I'm doing pretty good. In 2009 I must have been at least 14 locations I had never been before within Canada alone. Posing as a Captain before hoping on Planes, Ferries, Cars, and Trains all at the last second before entering somewhere completely new. Never looking at a map, just enjoying the company I was with. In 2011 I traveled mostly for work and with Family. I enjoyed seeing new places, but often was forced to navigate using all three of our maps (GPS, Google Maps, and a local paper map) at once. Not my preferred way to travel, but that's not really enough of a problem to complain about.

This years places included:

Starting in Santa Monica and driving up the 1 and the 101 the entire way back to Bellingham. We went through places like...

Big Sur

Carmel

Nappa Vally

Good Ol' Arcata

the 'Avenue of the Giants'

Wild Cat

... no maps or GPS out here...

...at Lost Coast.

and San Francisco.

Stayed in Atlanta for a week for work,

and was able to see the Aquarium my last day.

In Bellingham I went on many adventures on my trusted steed!

Swimming in the bay with Lucky

The mountain where I live, i found many new exciting trails to go riding on.

Up to Lost Lake with Divo

Found Chuckanut Ridge, quite dangerous place to ride, but well worth the excitement.

This is where bog-monsters live.

Visiting my dear friends Wesly and Shana in Aspen, Colorado.

Thank you Wes and Shana, you both are very dear to me <3

In the Smoky Mountains

I don't have any of my own Images of my trip to Arizona to visit my pops with my sister, but she took many pictures with her camera. Visit Her Blog about our trip.

This was the beginning our our Hawaii trip, just a short week on the north shore before my sister leaves to New Zealand.

All this while also traveling to Vancouver Canada almost every weekend. One of my two favorite weekends in Vancouver was the Ciliate shows. Links and pictures to the events:

Ciliate-With

First show, pictures by Luke. Took place in a basement, but you never would have noticed unless I had said so. Amazing fun, amazing people.

Sub-Ciliate

Second Show, Main Event Page, Preparation Photos, then The Show In Action. I would have posted my favorite pictures here, but there are just so many good ones to choose from. In all it included live music, art, fashion, live glass blowing, dancing, and more I'm sure.

Next Ciliate show in March, so therefore I have been spending most my time painting and drawing in the studio every day. I've stayed home regularly and its made this last month of the year a bit hazy. But hula-hooping, painting, and reading has kept my spirits high during these dark months. Books I've read and very much enjoyed this year have included:

The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory. It is a very easy read for someone who does not study physics regularly. There has also been a documentary that came out by the author of the book.

Watch The Elegant Universe: Part 1 on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Just after starting that book, i received this movie from a friend, a must see.

Nassim Haramein - Black Whole from Milo on Vimeo.

The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life: Volume 1. If you've ever been interested about ancient history or sacred geometry, this book is for you.

Calvin and Hobbs: There is Treasure Everywhere, and The Days are just Packed. If I ever am feeling like having a slow morning, I pick these bad boys up and stay in bed till I finish the book.

So Good For Little Bunnies. If you have kids, or know someone with kids, get them this book! Best children's book ever. Yes, my friend gave it to me for my birthday, but its been on my wish list for a while.

Let's-Bring-Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Forgotten Commendable Things from Times Gone By. I picked up this book for its practicle use, its delightful design, and because when I opened it up there was a woodblock print of a man wearing a monicle. And if that doesn't sell you on it, I don't know what would.

Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I don't really care that its a childrens book, if you read it you'll realize the amount of philosophy within the context of the book. As well as the play of the english language, one of my favorite quotes:

"and the moral of that is-'Be what you would seem to be'-or, if you'd like it put more simply-'Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.'"

Oh yes, that is a real sentance. And yes, its gramatically correct.

Shantaram. Its practlically 4 stories in one. I biography of an Australian who escapes prison and runs away to India. He goes from living in the city, then the country, the the slum, then joins the mafia, and so on. This guy was finally caught, and while he was in prison he started writing this book. During that time the script had been found and distroyed 3 different times. His Fourth try he finally succeeded. This is his work and its increadible. Full of great insight about the world, and society.

Ideas of the Great Philosophers. Quick and easy read about philosophical ethics, politics, religion, and metaphysics. Each catagory covers several ideas from leading philosophers of all time. Good read for a quick overview or refresher corse if you've ever read Sophie's World.

Aesop's Fables. Its the closest I get to reading history.

The Power of Now. I've alway been a fan of Eckhart Tolle, and this is where it all begins. If your looking for clearity in your life, this will put a great perspective on it.

A lot has happened this last year. Many monumental changes. Not just with myself, but the world. I've severed ties, and am finally in a place where I can pack my bags and head out the door. I really don't know what my future holds, but some advice I recieved from a friend is to 'Embrace my Lostness.' I've been working hard on being present in the moment, and I'm okay with not knowing what's ahead. Learning to forgive and be greatful for what I have has helped me appreciate life more. My birthday is going to mark many big changes for my own life. I'm as prepared as I can be for the changes, and will have to embrace some losses. In exchange for that, new journeys are ahead. And because I'm not planning my future, I cant say what its going to be. What I do know is I have a ticket to New York then Europe, and will have a 3 month Eurail Pass. From there its all a mystery.

So here is to a new year, the Year of the Dragon. I hope that everyone finds a way to make this year as prosperous as can be.

Graffiti + Anime + Mural = Awesome Artistic Duo

I've never tried working on an extensive art project with another person, but these two seem to work as one really good unit.

I Wish I Made This

Midnight Sun | Iceland from SCIENTIFANTASTIC on Vimeo.

Who will save us from ourselves?

This might be the best thing ever created by human.

11.11.11

Living in the moment. This has been my newest goal. Its easy to get caught up in things you've done, and things your going to do. Consistently you replay memories as if they are who you are, and you project yourself into the future about thing that might become. This is the best way to make yourself go crazy.

The amount of work and travel I do keeps me busy enough, but recently I just hang out with myself. This gives me more then enough time to over think everything, and yes, that little world you create in your head isn't the most rational place to be. So rather then being upset about things in the past, and over excited about plans I'm making, I'm going to start chilling in the moment.

This last weekend was perfect. In every way. Above that it was also proof that no matter what you plan, you have to be able to accept anything that might happen. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the surprises, and enjoy the company that you are with. Be it yourself, your family, your best friend, or complete strangers. Let yourself laugh as often as possible, or even cry if you need it. Be completely transparent, and enjoy change, because know that change happens to bring about something better.

Last week I was in Tennessee. During that time I had an urge to invite my friend Marina to come visit me in Bellingham. Within 5 mins. after sending her an email, she wakes up in bed with the inclination to come visit me in Bellingham. After getting on her computer she is surprised to see my invitation, four days later we meet.

During her visit there were two major events in my eyes. The full moon on 11/10/2011. In the spur of the moments inspiration, we took a night hike up to Blanchard Mountain lookout. We could see all the islands, stars, and cities surrounding the area. We had no flashlights, but we could see everything in the forest. It was clear skies, and for the first time this year I could see Orion the Warrior peak out from behind the mountain. Winter is finally hear. But with how nice it was outside you would never even consider the seasons changing. We got home at 2 a.m. and went to bed with the intention of going to Mt. Baker for 11/11/11.

We woke up early the next morning to get ready, only to see that it was pouring down rain. We decide we will go to the mountain anyways. It was 10 a.m. when we finally shuffled out the door with our picnic, wearing casual sweaters, jeans, and a rain coat. I wore my tennies, and Marina her Gumboots. We were sure it would just be a little wet up there.

Amazingly enough, it was snowing, and at full force. We picked up some hitch hikers and helped them up the mountain. We went on our hike anyways, considering how poorly dressed we were. The snow depth went from ankle deep, to mid-calf deep, to knee deep, to waist deep, then finally chest deep. The only possible way to get back was to swim out of the snow. We eventually made it to the parking lot, ran into the hitch-hikers again and a bunch of people skiing off jumps. Hung out, but eventually ran back to the car only to strip down naked to get off our frozen wet clothes. We drove down the hill naked and took some amazing videos of the drive. All in all, I could have never of planned any of this, but I think I had way more fun the way it happened.

Video #1: This is just a raw copy of the video

Video #2: This is a bit more experimental. Working with filters and text, while altering the contrast and hues.

Thanks Marina for being a part of this amazing weekend. I don't think it could have been any better. Also a thanks for helping film this video.