A Little Gem

Howdy!

Hanging out in an apartment complex, next to a strip mall, with all the big name corporations doesn't sound too fun...but it is!

This complex is a surprising little gem to me.  Or rather, what lies on the other side of the complex.  Irene and Emily manage to stay in this place because it has an absolutely beautiful view of woodlands from their porch.  Their porch, by the way, is a feeding ground for the entire pantheon of bird types living in the woods.  So I have been seeing them constantly (even in my dreams!)  Yesterday, I decided it was time to take a walk through these small trails to process all of the conversations I have been having.  I walked down to the lower portion of the woods and came across a small stream that had all manner of miniature waterfalls, winding curves, and deep water pockets.  It was such a beautiful place to explore. 

So when I awoke today I decided to go for a run.  What I found, beyond the trails I walked yesterday, was a massive wooded land that, aside from the sound of cars in the background, would remind you of a small state park outside of town.  There are several kept trails that run into each other, each having a variety of natural landscapes.  No matter where you are, off in the distance you can hear the sound of cars.  So when I ran I didn't worry about keeping track of where I was.  I started off running on a trail and ended up with a combination of running through wild areas and finding my way to other trails.  Some places I would have to walk through, others crouch through, even jumping between dry patches and walking along fallen trees (my favorite thing to do.)  Quite the workout!

I even came across a few hobo camps here and there.  This reminded me of my friend Jake.  He would actually engage in conversation with the people in these little communities.  He even came across a place like this in the woods that basically turned into a huge dumping ground.  Being the great guy he is, he took a lot of time out of his travels to pick up every piece of trash, put it in bags, and take them to the appropriate facilities.  I believe that, in the end, he collected some 20-30 bags of trash, if not more. 

So...I have made a firm commitment to head out tomorrow and find a working memory card to take pictures.  None of these places really mean much to you unless you have the visual component!  So I hope to get that taken care of since many of these places are quite stunning.  These pictures, when/if they come about, will be posted in albums on my facebook page. 

I know I said in an earlier blog that I would have more about the Mask Shamanism/religion topic, but I've been having a lot of writer's block in getting them out lately.  I think this is so because most of my mental processes have been geared towards the communicative exchange of ideas with people this last week (in a very intense fashion.)  For all of you that know me well, you know that I spend most of my time to myself and don't really speak a whole lot about what goes on in this mind of mine.  So it has been a great opportunity to connect with people in this way and it has also taken a lot out of me since I am not used to it.

 Until we meet again.  :)


Justin