I’m trippin’ off these flowers 😍.

Thank you for the fireworks show 😍. 

In January 2020, I immediately started reading three books: 

1984 – George Orwell
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
Amusing Ourselves to Death – Neil Postman

Doing my best to simply observe these past two years and not get ingrained in the craziness, I can clearly see what’s happening. I see the fear. I see the effects of technology and media. I see the divide. I see the psychological warfare. I see a transformation of society that I don’t believe is for the benefit of the common man.

It’s difficult not to give into the fear and hysteria. This government overreach that is creating a mere illusion of health and safety is just another way for the elite to extend their power and control. We are already isolated, antisocial, and divided on so many levels. If we let ourselves become so distracted and blind sighted, we are letting history repeat itself.

Dealing with mental health issues first hand, I’ve learned to never let fear, anger, and emotion control me. I’m reminded to remain open minded and to listen to all perspectives on the matter. I’m reminded to always stay calm and be unfazed despite the hysteria and paranoia. I’m reminded that compassion, kindness, and understanding always wins. I’m reminded that freedom should never be taken for granted. I’m reminded that there is still common sense and hope. 

I believe in a world where we can have open, honest, and civil conversations about contentious issues. I believe in a world where we are united despite our differences and accepting of another’s opinion even if they are in disagreement from our own. I believe in a world where individual principles and values overcome greed and the desire for power. 

I believe in change. I believe in a better world.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

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authoritarianism (n.) 
the enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
• lack of concern for the wishes or opinions of others.

corporatocracy (n.)
a society or system that is governed or controlled by corporations.

cult (n.)
a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Normally by the time the weekend comes, I’m exhausted from work and just looking forward to being able to sleep in. There’s no time for rest in the winter though, with mostly cloudy skies and ENE wind on the forecast, the day started early for me. Right at the crack of dawn, I stared out my window and saw a familiar faint pink glow on the horizon. I call this the pre-burn, where the sunrise colors would appear, fade, and suddenly become intense. About 12 minutes before sunrise, I paced back and forth in my room debating whether I should run out with the camera or just launch the drone from my back porch. I decided to fly so I could get a good angle in case there were only partial colors. As I got to the outside bar, I noticed groomed peaks and said “god damn, it’s good”. The entire sky lit up, the sea turned pink and purple. The color only lasted for less than a minute and a half before it started to fade. Not too long after, the sky and water was completely drab.

The day had just begun. As the tide dropped throughout the morning, clean, lined up A frames were making it’s way from the depths. A good size crowd developed at Moraga, where it was less walled out. I headed up to the top of the hill as bigger sets hitting double overhead+ appeared. I almost exhausted my memory card within an hour. I was worried about the overcast lighting, but at times the sun almost pierced through the thick layer of clouds, giving my photos a gloomy tone. Today was one for the books.

Dropping tide, barely a breeze, sand bars and barrels, not a bad Friday evening.

I spend almost every night staring at a computer screen. It’s much easier to sit comfortably at home than to plan a trip, pack, and drive 10 hours to an interesting location. At the end of the day though, I’m more content with the latter. There simply is no substitute to be sitting around a campfire, being surrounded by trees and stars, and sharing stories with people who you don’t see often. Did I mention there was no cell service or electricity, or even running water that night? So much of what we do with our electronic devices doesn’t matter in reality. Yes, we can live without all these amenities and conveniences, we don’t need to be in constant communication with the world 24/7, or have to share every moment of our lives. I know that myself still succumbs to this digital world, but I said I can forgo it, at least for one night.

See you in the morning.