sing the cosmo's song

4 April, 2024

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

How often are you asked, and more importantly, how comfortable are you answering the question; "Are you Happy?" How does one handle such a request? We all have different ideas of what the feeling of happiness may look or feel like, right? The study of Eudaimonia goes beyond the standard, textbook definition. How does one obtain this enlightenment of true happiness? Furthermore, how do YOU define that term? Between reading, writing in my own experience with the subject matter of philosophy, there are often two factors that remain constant towards the influence;

a) What is our purpose? and

b) Where are we currently in accomplishing that purpose?

The present version of yourself does not represent who you wish to become. Nor, does it in the reverse. Living with the idea that you will one day reach this apex can drastically impact your everyday decisions. Your mentality of locating that eternal happiness can present itself in many forms at any time.

~

Quite an outgoing gathering of humans in such an intimate setting these past few days, it's clear to me how vulnerable people can be with their feelings when they feel safe in their environment. I am incredibly fortunate to have been brought on to connect deeply with the poets, the emo's, the Wildlife Photographers, the heartbroken and the damned. Pinto gallo & sweet plantains for breakfast from here on out! It gave me such joy to be a part of this community and learn where so many walks of life come from, what their adventure has been like, and what lead them to this very moment.

Do you ever experience this sense of bliss you can't possibly explain? Sure, you do.

Take the necessary time to slow your life down and find fulfilment.

Pura Vida!

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Take Shelter (2011)

Obsessing over an incoming storm, Curtis LaForche plans to protect his family's safety by any means. Michael Shannon performs the small-town, Midwest Father who struggles in dealing with his deaf daughter and rampant hallucinations. I've admired this film since its origin, and have always felt inspired by its visual appeal - The VFX were surely ahead of their time. With navigating a potential schizophrenia diagnosis and the township turning on the family, this buildup leads to the big blowup at the legion, in an incredible dialogue delivered by Shannon. Night terrors & biblical metaphors, this film depicts the importance of family and making a choice based on impulse. The intensity of the human emotion alone is breathtaking. I've always wanted my own tornado shelter...

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Spaceships Over Glasgow By Stuart Braithwaite (2022)

Mogwai's finest Scot depicts his upbringing and the sought out music career at large. The endless concert quests with siblings, watching Sonic Youth side stage, and being belligerent at almost every turn, this book tells the adventure in a well-written timeline. You really get the feeling of sitting in a Scottish pub, listening to him tell you these stories in real time. Demonstrating what really happens when a band is on non-stop tour, how it feels and affects the camaraderie. Forever holding Braithwaite's statement close to heart; "No matter what is going on in your life, music can transport you away from it."

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Casper Skulls - The Science of Dichotomies

Often compared to the blessings of Sonic Youth, Sudbury-natives deliver pure gold. Steady bass lines that could happily go on forever, accompanying vocals of indie essence and tones of that perfect twine. The song structure and especially the male vocal delivery seems to please the masses. At the time of me writing this, their website has expired and I remain hopeful for more greed. Casperholic indefinitely.

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just a second, i am turning into gold by Christi Steyn

A promise to yourself and the world around you as you embark on your healing stage, your transition, and your absence from your norm. It can be challenging to convince those around you of your current availability. We never want to ask anyone to wait on our timeline, and understanding that process typically stems from somebody else's experience in a similar fashion. Not knowing how you will get there, just that it feels absolutely essential to you in that stage, right now. There is a ton of sacrifice in Steyn's writing, with the intent on returning to the world covered in complete gold. Take the time for yourself and trust the process. You're morphing into the brand new you. Go & save the world, CS...

huggable dust

26 January, 2024 Vancouver, BC

I've been reflecting loads on the idea behind New Years Resolutions. Whether we define them as goals or resolutions, each of us strive for an impactful change in our lives once that clock strikes. Whether or not we keep consistent in progress, that universal gap between motivation & procrastination will often show it's true colours. Sometimes, it feels imperative to even pretend to have goals set in stone to share among your peers. Providing a guidebook to follow while we all continue to strive for greatness. But they're not always systematic. I've actually noticed a trend within social media lately, where it's 'hip' to not even have resolutions. I believe progress and change can be beautiful, but understanding the value in going in neutral.

For those seeking the twist, forming a habit is a skill which requires practice and sheer determination. For myself, it's always been helpful to locate others with similar wishes that will create a better environment. There must be a pleasure in the process in order to stay on track. It may also assist you in keeping accountability. I generally evaluate the previous year and determine what I would like to do different. Does it benefit, or make matters worse? There doesn't seem to be a right or wrong answer to this wishlist, just a slight modification to your behaviour patterns that will generate happiness.

Make it enjoyable and don't set your sights too high. After all, it's only another year...

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The Sasquatch Gang (2006)

Not for everyone, but you'll have to let your brain melt. This film pays homage to the friend group of my college days, where we would recite every dialogue line with passion. Tattoo the script on my back, would yah? The infamous sasquatch is on the loose in Clackanomah County and this group of friends are on a mission to locate evidence of its presence. Justin Long delivers his role with such grace and hilarity, all the while paying off debt for a purchased hamburger. LARPing, hiking and the importance of friendship make for an entertaining nerd: POV experience. For many of us, it could possibly be the best film we've ever had the privilege of feasting our ojos uponeth.

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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? By Jeanette Winterson (2011)

Forgiveness unblocks the future. This novel depicts the story of life through the eyes of adoption in an experiment with experience. The scene where Mrs W. is informed of the writer's sexual orientation is empowering, and it's so intense only to build up and reveal the book title itself in the perfect placement. The mysterious definition of what home is. What does it represent? How does it feel when there is little to no order, and what happens when we leave that home? 'The things that I regret in my life are not errors of judgement but failures of feelings.'

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The Walkmen - In The New Year

I take a gander at this each + every start of the new year. As many others do. NYC's own demonstrates perfect percussion along with reverberating guitar tone and flawless yells. Having the privilege of staring in awe at this at the local club was one of the many highlights of last year. I would be amiss not to s/o the one & only PM in his part in TD3 to this track, for it started it all. Ain't your heart in the strangest place, too?

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Light by Ian Thomas

Taken out of Green Islands: Poems from the Great Bear Rainforest, native-bred Thomas paints a perfect image of the isolated interior. With weather patterns wet, foggy and dull, the factor of light still seems to exist. It's just a matter of how you define it and where you choose to look for it. With so many different sorts of ecosystems and species running amok, this global treasure is alive with bright illumination. The contrast of saturation and colour depicting in Thomas' words really give the reader an opportunity to step foot into the six and a half million hectares of land, and experience the beauty of nature.

god jul!

23 December, 2023

Segelvik, Norway

Physically, emotionally drained with the wounds to prove it. Mentally? Spiritually? Never felt more fulfilled. The arms stretch wide to receive love and grateful for it. These final days on this adventure for me, were very much vulnerable. The kindest gesture from a local, or the lyric to a song would bring me to tears. A lot of people ask me 'Why?" And that was something I began pondering since my passion for travel began. I've never been able to answer wholeheartedly, because I knew it would change.

At the end, this "Why" seemed really simple. I wanted to discover so much of the roads less travelled. The amount of time alone lets you process things that nothing else really comes close to. Asking yourself questions in the ample amount of quiet space to fully provide answers to them. I don't personally believe in "I'm better now, because of this" because I realized at a real early age that it's not about becoming better. What you allow yourself to experience and give forth is the premise to the moment. Whatever that moment was - good or bad. And actually loving myself and my possessions in those moments of exposed situations. How I handle forks in the road when nobody is physically there. I think everything in the world is about just having confidence in who you are at any given moment, you know?

Watching your good friend being kept alive by machines lays its heavy affect on a human. You can't quite figure it out - the how. You stand by and wish there was something you could do, but it's simply life shaping in front of you. It's gut-wrenching. I miss you dearly, TS. There have already been countless things that have happened since that prove you're up there helping us out. Thank you for putting a smile on this aging face over the years. 'Why can't I just pull up to your crib and see you right there?' Ride the sky.

I will keep the rest of this internal narrative to myself, but I just wish to say that the life lessons from all of this, are something I can cherish forever. Not to mention the people I met along the way, those who took the time to reach out, text, DM; you all lifted me up. (And a special shoutout to Apple for building phones that can sit out in the snow for fifteen hours and not die).

I pray that those Christmas traditions you once practiced, still remain intact.

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The Killer (2023)

Yoga & The Smiths, how could it go wrong? The path of revenge for the act of violence to a loved one. Fincher demonstrates a patient film with a defining voiceover that establishes self-struggle, a mindless gaze from the lead that makes you feel his pain, and his wisdom of anticipation. I love the idea of keeping your mind focus while you wait, and wait. Split-second decisions create a whirl of chaos in this flick. How the character reacts is tense and ongoing, leaves you at the edge even for a slow burn.

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (1988)

Finally got around to this. The story of a young traveller who embarks on a quest for treasure, while demonstrating the concept of personal legends and belief within. A lot of life lessons in this one. To express these traits to others along your way, and observing this undefying notion of oneness. This novel emphasizes the pursuit of your dreams, and I can't stress enough that it encourages quite the motive with it's symbolic story. A great tool for the reader to idolize Universal Language and believe of a path moving forward.

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The Japanese House, Justin Vernon - Dionne

Watching this live was worth everything.

The fact that I'll never tire of this track is really special. Clever lyrics mixed perfectly with a beat that eases your trouble, these two have created a masterpiece beyond measure. 'Your past becomes your present if it's always on your mind' like, c'monnnnn.

Take this song, crunch it up into a little ball, shuv-it in your pocket and take it everywhere you go.

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The Same Sea by Samantha Reynolds

I had my final swim of the year in the ocean surrounded by whales. Not in my green skirt, but the sheer force (yet gentleness) of the water is forever ripe for a dive. The echoes shared in the same abyss as you, pure blackness to an unknown existence. I've often said that the ocean is just space in reverse. And then, from out of nowhere, you witness the stillness of these creatures while you remain in your element. How we all share this same planet, is pure magic.