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.

our collective future

28 October, 2023

Geneva, New York

Captivated with new ideas, countless unique faces along the travel route, and endless stories to add to the journal. I maintain sanity with Tonglen breathing, a variety of commencement speeches, hiking and cold showers, yet I find the same nirvana with Chrissie Hynde's voice echoing through the punk bathroom stall while I urinate. I spend a great deal of time hearing out the friends dwell on their stories via Facetime, and it feels good to watch first-hand how people are changing throughout the years. Do you notice it? Oblivious or in denial? For the better, or for the worse, an unimaginable rate this life seems to be soaring by.

The horrors of the world continue to unfold as we seek those things that keep us at peace.

Is the end of the world just the start?

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Endless Summer (1966)

Mild weather and beautiful lake patterns make the season that much more enjoyable. A film deemed as 'Prehistorical Vlogging,' places the viewer in sun-struck position right on the shoreline. Bruce Brown delivers a masterpiece dedicated to those who possess a love for the surf. The soundtrack and colour correction alone - accompanied by dry & hilarious commentary - bring much joy to the viewer. Posters of this film still remain on walls around cities today. When the winter blues start to hit, I encourage you to pop this into any format you own and truly feel the heat.

"No two waves are the same. That wave belongs to you."

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Blue Mind by Dr. Wallace J Nicols (2014)

Ever wonder what the mental & physical health benefits are by simply existing by a body of water?

This book contains a massive amount of interesting facts surrounding positive mindset, the rehabilitation history, The Blue Marble Project, and incredible stories and research about all things water. The encouragement to seek the element whenever you're feeling low, and fall in love with the natural essence, the dangers it faces on a regular basis, and develop your Blue Mind at peace. I think everyone will find a similarity in their life to several points in this literature. I also really need to take a whiff of Libby Patterson's Wave Perfume....

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Angela - Flower Face

The willingness of Ruby to open up about the history of this song in her interview allows us listeners to love Angela that much more. I discovered this many years ago in the algorithms of nostalgia, and it's continuously been a go-to at those moments of comfort. The feeling of wanting to let that special someone go, but remaining wishful that they might find their route back to you someday. The perfect poetic tone and rhythm, that come

together to replicate those memories we all hold onto. Who do you see in your snowglobe?

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Find Me by Forest Blakk

A hypnotizing spoken word to exercise your inner emotion toward someone that once was. To believe in a feeling you previously felt, and cherish memories that push you to remain hopeful, and shed light on the good that existed and that they may transition into a new existence. The millions of thoughts we experience throughout our lives require some sort of explanation and meaning. One of the hardest challenges we face, is to grieve someone who is still amongst us. You'll hear something different each time you replay this.