Moons, Missions, Life, and Photos

A Long Recap

So much has happened since last we spoke that it seems hard to put it all into words. Really, there should have been two or three updates by now; however, it will simply have to get remembered as it is now remembered. Here are the bullet points that chronicle the events that come to mind, and that confirm the following: This life that I am living is one filled with endless opportunities, and given the talents and gifts I have received as a human being, it is all a question of choice, conviction, and confidence--anything is possible. Traveling to new places and biking through old ones, is a means of understanding myself through the reflections of the faces I meet. Finding a love and letting the love go is a meditation in patience and faith. This journey has evolved many times since June 18th, when I checked out with my final pay check--and so we ramble on.

Events, in a moderate chronological order, as dictated by my current memory (there are pictures to go along with all this, but alast, I am not at my computer):

• Birthday dinner with my father and aunt, lead to a great talking drive north.
• Berkeley, albeit a short trip, as always was a swimmingly exciting experience.
• A look at my Aunt's new art installment, a listen of her quintet's rehearsal, and some fine wine.
• Morning Coffee at Zazou's with Aunt Tee and Uncle Steve.
• Hit the YMCA for a few days of working out.
• Nestled up in the old homestead at 228 Ocean View.
• The new home of the Kline's is nothing short of AWESOME!
• Enjoyed several hearty meals with the Klines, which included home brew and home baked items.
• Maggie gave me a sowing tutorial and helped/did most of the work, of sowing my hammock canopy.
• Kicked old dribble's ass in disc golf, and caught up with the great Austin Johnson.
• Walked Devo's dog B to the park and played catch daily.
• Hung out the Wiles/Rudolph compound.
• Sampled some of the sweet garden crop, watched the mercy slaughter of a chicken, played with the Boston Bitch Boys, Moose and Gus (love em both), and setup my Bunring Man nest in the vacant lot.
• Ran into my ex-girlfriend's mother while getting tacos.
• Called my ex-girlfriend and played phone tag, but attempted to make an amends.
• Hung with Denis and Claire: shot the shit, and got some of his latest releases from Odonata Wines. The grenache and durif were superb!
• Berkeley again: met up with Shae at the Albatross and had some pints while we talked about our dabblings in the wild world of romance and music.
• Spent a whole day packing my truck and getting things in order for Burning Man.
• Met up with Molly Greene, and after several hours of dragging feet in Berkeley, we hit the road en route to Burning Man.
• We made relatively good time, and after hours chatting it up we were nearly there. We stopped for a bathroom break, and I left my wallet on top of my truck while I changed pants in the wee hours of morning. We took back to the two lane highway, and we quickly realized what had occurred. We scoured the highway with headlamps, and collected the scattered holdings of my pavement beaten wallet. I was lucky enough to find: my debit card, my credit card, my COSTCO card, the two halves of my AAA card, several business cards from friends, the tiniest picture of my friend Tess Wheelwright, and about $15 (out of $60). At the time I lost my driver's license, but then--low and behold, a week later, it was mailed to me by a good human being who found it while walking that lonely stretch of road.
• Burning Man: I lived in my hammock! It was an evolution of thoughts. I initially felt apprehensive and out of sorts, and not entirely apart of. As days wore on, and experiences continued to be had, the city took my over. Appearances changed, rhythms were found, and adventures manifested continuously. It was a world of vagabonds and marauders, and endless opportunity. My bike and I saw many stretches of land. Day times were split between lounging in the hammock with my fan blowing moderately cool air from my solar panel setup and insane activity (biking, exploring, ultimate frisbeeing, and wandering). I painted on walls and met new folks: a young chap named Neil (named after Neil Young) and I, painted on a pseudo brick wall out in the playa. I played epic Ultimate with Lilly from Orgeon, Shina from Austin, Yting from who knows where, Seth, and so forth. I met with some friends from Santa Cruz, and the encounters were good, perhaps not what we all expected them to be, but exactly what they should have been. My final day of Burning Man, was complete immersion. I spent the day wandering in the dust. We found refuge in an astroturf bunker, and three strangers joined us. We chatted, and I fought my urge to feel weird or frightened. We road out to the orange fence, which marks the end of that world, came back and began building blocks. At an art installment, I found heavy steel blocks stacked into pillars, on top of slabs of slate. To the left of the pillars was a large basket, and I realized, that the artist, had left the blocks in the basket, and the ebb and flow of people had moved these things into monuments--I took one completely down. I placed the blocks in categories according to size and shape. I left the slab blank, I began to build, but stopped and quickly erased my efforts. A drifter asked me if this was my art installment, and I said no, with a smile. Another dusty traveler and asked the same, and I replied the same, but then I added, "You should take those blocks there, and build a new tower." The man chuckled and then went to work. He worked furiously until all was done, not a block to spare--inception! He stood back from his tower, laughed, I congratulated him on his efforts, and he spun a twist and a giggle and sauntered out into a dust storm. After that, a man by the name of Wizzard appraoched Atom and I for some help. He wanted to stack two large 500lbs wood balls on top of each other. Wizzard was a veteran of the playa, and he was a large dusted man, with a mustache and a mini-skirt. He had built several installments, and in fact the night before, we had stumbled across his latest work. We built a small pedastool, and used 4x4's as ramps. After enlisting the help of some other drifters, and using some shims around the base, the Wizzard and ourselves had accomplished a strange feet--there sat two 500lbs ball on top of another. We shared some ice-water, and we all parted ways--and to me, that was the culmination of Burning Man. That day, and that moment is why I had come there. There was no fear in that moment. All that we worked with, was positive possibilities and imagination--what a lesson for living the everyday. I left before the big burn, and it felt so very good.
• Drove through Nevada on the backside of Yosemite, past Mono Lake--a great time of reflection and appreciation.
• LA got me back into it all, but Burning Man still mingled inside of me.
• Pablo and Ana--WHAT BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE! It was so good to see them. We spoke Spanish, ate cheeseburgers, saw many sites, and explored the greater LA area. We went hiking with Shaggy out in Red Rocks off of Topanga; we drove the 1 and ate at Apple Pan; We meandered through Venture Blvd with a Jamba Juice; We saw Machete at City Walk; We did Runyon Cyn; We had drinks and Sushi in Los Feliz with Marina and Company; We did Melrose and Hollywood Blvd; We rambled the Getty, and just loved life. It was nice to be able to show them around. They are currently heading up the 1 and are doing a great job of visiting California's finer spots.
• My previous post talked about the unexpected eruption of emotion that accompanied a reunion with the infamous bus lady. Upon some time apart, and a bike ride, I realized that the time was not now--to be in a situation where both individuals cannot be present and free, is just not the right situation. And hence, with a metaphor about chocolate chip cookies, we agreed to agree on another time and place--it felt good to be honest, and aware enough to not get so tied up in impossible situations. The parallel to a previous locked heart of love, seemed to serve as a reminder of what needed to be done.
• A chance encounter at a going away party, has lead to a meeting of minds. My old friend Tom, from the prep school circuit, is a digger of life. The other day we took to the hills above Encino and hiked and talked fer several hours. Consequently, this is my new favorite hiking spot, San Vicente Mountain Park, which is a great slice of US History and a little known gem of wilderness. My mom, the dogs, and I hiked it about a week ago, and it is just an absolute treat. As always, the outdoors and my mom serve to be a great freakin time!
• Hung with Gloria, and she made brisket!! OH MAN OH MAN! It was great, as it always is, to hang with a kindred soul.
• Played golf with the folks yesterday--they rode and I walked. It was a nice quick round, and we finished it up with BBQ. It is nice to spend time with these two funny people who have helped me so much on my journey, I love them both.

And now, here I am. About two weeks until I blast off to Austin. I am ready for the adventure of Texas. I have a trip to Spain and Mexico on the horizon...so it all goes.

Sweet Substitute: Los Angeles On My Mind

Saturday, August 21st, the life and times of Mr. Elliott Austin Kuhn: this world, and all of its inhabitants, are an amazing blend of of energy. I am continually amazed by the paradoxical nature of how infinitely big we all are, and how amazingly small we seem to be at the same time--we are like ants with incredible strength.


I feel as if Los Angeles has blosomed into an amazing chapter. I arrived here sketchy and unsure. My homestead was different, and I entered in at a nervous transitional time. Similarly, the gravity of leaving Mexico seemed to sink in once I arrived back home. A nervous beginning has continued to grow into a deeper and deeper adventure.

Bike riding the great Southern California Streets, commiserating with old friends, taking on new projects, connecting with family, savoring the outdoors--it has been a blast. I am on the cusp of heading north, and to that tune, I tip my hat with great excitement and anticipation. The north brings more family and friends, and the baby steps to Burning Man. My money is flowing incredibly quickly, to such an extent that I think I may get back to Austin with a cloud dust gasping from my wallet, however, I can't stop--WON'T STOP! MUST LIVE AND LIVE WELL!


Projects:

• After some expensive quotes and some desire to dive in, my faithful friend Curt and I took on the challenge of Changing all four ball joints and the shocks on my 4Runner. After some internet mishaps with ordering parts, Curt and I hunkered down. As per usual, the job was not as easy as it appeared to be. Curt and I are novice mechanics, and this lack of general mechanical knowledge creates a large learning curve. What took us 6 hours the first side, most of which was spent sitting, staring, and wondering, only took us 3 hours the second side, including installing the front shocks. In the end, after finishing the rear shocks at my dad's house, I have an improved 20 year old suspension, some good memories, new knowledge, and pride in a job well done.
  
• I have a bike cart with my dad's neighbor Bob, which I will be welding together under his tutelage.
  
• I have recently inherited a small portable solar setup from my buddy Atom. Need to put some final touches on for Burning Man. But the intent is to charge all my electrical devices and run small appliances off of this setup.
  
• I will be making a hammock tarp (hopefully, god willing, with the help of Mrs. Maggie Kline).
• Burning Man car modifications and protections will also be fleshed out soon.

• Hit up a little mountain biking and early afternoon Thai with Shaggy over on the other side of the hill. A friend told him about Sullivan Canyon and Westridge Back Canyon. This is a sweet gem up off of Mandeville Canyon, which starts at the intersection with Sunset Blvd and heads up the hill. The place was tucked at the end of a wealthy residential street. The trails were plenty and it was exciting to find a great location in the city, that also boasted practical and sensible dog policy--GO TEAM!

• Met up with the good old crew: Played some golf with Kevin Elms and his pops, along with my dad. Kevin is an old high school friend, who's father inadvertently has also done my father's taxes for the last 5 or so years. We discovered the connection, after Kev Kev was working for his dad, and came into work, only to find my name sitting on his desk as the first client of the morning. Anyway, we played out at Camarillo Springs, and it was a great day. Also, hung out with Kev's roommate, and also former fellow Robinhood's regular, Matt Schneider. As always, the man, the myth, the legend is just a delight. We came up with the notion of SchneidFaq.com...a modern man's take on the world--questions, quotes, and considerations for your everyday life. Keep an eye out for the birth of that dream. At Schneider's new pad I also had the opportunity to catch up with the best of the best, my best friend, Joseph Ryan Harper. We spent the better part of an hour sorting out life on the sidewalk outside Matt's place--with a truly great friend, no matter how long it has been, there is always the ability to get right to the good stuff in life, without the awkward ego shit. We dove in. The conversations were real and powerful, and a testament to a fellow journeyer. And last but not least, today, I spent a great evening of food, conversation and playing music with two Kindred souls: Mr. Atom Junod and Mr. Michael O'Palko. We jammed for about 2 hours and it was all the right rhythms, chords and melodies--I LOVE LIFE!
• Last night took me up to Angeles National Forest with my mom. Since I have been home, and perhaps even before that, my mother has made it explicit that her intention was to go camping for a night, while I was home. With some minor research, the purchase of a National Forest Adventure pass from Big 5 Sports, and various camping supplies, the decision was made to camp at Guffy Campground (8200ft (2500m)) in the Angeles National Forest, along the border of the San Bernadino National Forest, and directly in the path of the Pacific Crest Trail. We took a midday hike after setting up camp. We enjoyed an early evening dinner of filet mignon and potatoes, and a bottle of wine (man if I had been on a date, I would have gotten brownie points).

• We were piled in for bed by 8:30. The wind howled all night, and the heavy moon sailed through branches. Chops anti barking collar was not functional, and he spent most of the night barking the one group of campers who arrived late at night (morning would show a pile of beer cans littered their campsite). The night was my first run in my Warbonnet Blackbird. It was a process of finding the right and angle and the right hang. I have decided that I like a nice high hang; I like my thermarest fairly taught, for a nice cold barrier and stability; I like to lay on a side angle and make use of my footbox. We arose with the sun, had some instant coffee, and wound our way through the Angeles Crest Highway listening to Dave Matthews Band and talking life. We were home around midday, and it was 100% awesome from start to finish. What a beautiful way to spend a night, and it is so freaking close, who would believe it.

• Next we come to all things cosmic. Over the last few weeks my mind has been swirling. Some of you, may recall many years ago that I had a radio show, that I was in grad school, and that I lived in Santa Cruz, Ca. Well when those three things made up my life, I had an incident with a beautiful young lady on a bus. We had a chance encounter, where the bus driver hit the gas, she fell in my lap, we had a moment, mutually let it pass and regretted it, and so forth. Long story short, I found her again by placing a picture of myself at all the bus stops on the UCSC campus, she called me, and we have remained in contact since then. When we met, the timing was a bit off (it was her first year at UCSC, I was teaching, yada yada yada) and we agreed to let the romantic implications sit on the sidelines for the time being. Well, the Bus Lady is back here in LA; a native to Chatsworth, we have had the opportunity to reconnect in a non digital form (although a lot of narcissistic photos have been snapped while in each other's company). Regardless, an initial stiff conversation, very formal and surface level, gave way to a deluge of wild and exciting honesty. As if our minds have been and are, zip lining thoughts, we conversed on everything from similar life philosophies and music, to Earthships, the outdoors, and synchronous situations--the shere amount of similarities are too abundant to be written off as an anomaly of chance--or at least we have decided to elevate the status of these aptly dubbed, "cosmic connections" (a million hippies just got their dreadlocks, at the utterance of that phrase). Anywho, plans to hang out one evening have blossomed into several evenings of conversation, good food, urban exploring, and mounting attraction. The synchronicity is undeniable although the timing is still a little off. Regardless, it is truly amazing to meet someone, and have the type of connection and interest that you dream of, or at least are told to dream of. Perhaps we have both mutually hallucinated the perfection and intrigue we see in the other person; perhaps we are just projections of our sub conscious desires (HELLO INCEPTION!). However, I would like to believe that I have the freedom to trust the accuracy of my intuition. I do trust that this stunning, articulate, intelligent, goofy, visionary, and exciting lady, has been placed in my life for a reason, and hence, embracing the lunacy of the present moment, is an absolute must--in this land there are only yes's to be dealt with. There is simply nothing insidious about it.

Whoa LA, Whoa!

Well, well , well...what a few days and a camera will do for ya. I got photos for the update. I spent the better part of yesterday on the couch. However, the day before was a freaking day of action. Allow the photos to tell the story:

1. Took a hike at Runyon Canyon, and soaked in the LA backdrop:

2. Went on another hike with my mom and the dogs. We took off on a trail that lead from Mullholland Dr., through a series of ridge line foot trails, and down into a cold canopy covered stream, apply named, The Rainforest. Oh, and there was a brush fire taking place, andhelicopters were dropping water near by:

3. I found a little rope swing to play on:

4. Then the dogs rested in the shade:

5. After the hike we went for a burger and then a nap in the hammock. Then I met up with atom and we hit the bikes for a night time ride. We skeddadled across the Valley and stopped at Pierce College for a break. We sat on the outskirts of one of their agriculture fields, and chopped it up. We then met up with an old friend, Nicoli Moreno, and this took us north to Winnetka and Lassen. After an evening of jamming music, big dogs, and conversation, we saddled up and hit the 11mi ride home--it was a long way to go. The following our pictures from the evening at hand:

6. The final day, I road back along the LA River. I stopped and drank a Jamba Juice, and snagged this photo of the faithful road warrior:

Ahhhhh Los Angeles

Well, I am in California, and it feels good, weird, bad, happy, sad, and all that. There was a strange wave of emotions that errupted upon arrival. After three days and 1400mi in the car with my dad, getting home was the awakening that obligations were to be met. I almost felt like a delayed culture shock set in. The drive from Mexico to Austin was this seemless move, and I was still exploring and anonymous. Suddenly being thrust back into the familiar, made me realize that a trip had concluded, and I was flooded with emotions. None the less, I am getting back into the mix of things, and life is pushing along. I have plans to see friends from various phases of life, I am spending family time with the folks, which is cool, because I have not seen them in awhile. My dad has a new place, which is quite nice, and his life is evoloving out there. We did some fishing, and BBQing and some TV watching. I am sure my mom and I have some hiking in the works, and so on.

I am trying to just relax and enjoy the time that I have here, but there is still a bit of unrest--so many things to do, and people to see, and words and words and words. I have chunked out two months of time for this California hiatus, but I will just have to see how it all shakes out. Right now, I am feeling as if two months of floating might be two much, and perhaps a return date to Austin may need to occur in mid September--who knows, who knows.

This rant is more of just a personal poop of thoughts, and a commitment to maintain the blog. No pictures and links this time, just some sort of musing inspired ramble. All and all, life is a journey, and I am pushing myself to hold on to the present as best I can.

Setting out West

Well, my time in Texas has come to a close--for now. Today, I will head out across the no man's land of West Texas. My dad got in yesterday--we went to some BBQ, which was OK, and then caught Inception at The Alamo Drafthouse. A really interesting movie theater: all the commercials were made by them, and had some element of hilarity, e.g. "Make sure to put your cell phone away, or we will hunt you down and finish you," (this is coupled with a short clip of an usher stabbing a man who had his cellphone out during a movie. There were also commercials for local events at the various Drafthouses around town--outdoor movie night, old classics night, beer brewing discussion night, and so on. Also, in the theater, a waiter is assigned to your area, and you order food by writing down what you want on a sheet of paper, and putting it on the table in front of you--my dad had ice cream with caramel, and I had some peanut butter cups and a Brooklyn Brown Ale--it all totaled $15--somehow I feel like, if that was in LA, it would have been $20-30. Inception was good, but my third time--I think I fully understand it now, if you have questions, I am pretty sure I can answer them; it is still a fantastic film.

Today we are going to leave about midday--I still need to pack and organize. I should take the dogs for a walk sooner than later, I guess. Yesterday, while walking the greenbelt, Chops ran up to another dog. Then he spotted a cat lurking in the foliage to the right, and he bolted after it--the lady with the dog screams, "That's my cat!"--oh shit! As the lady rummages the bushes calling out, "here Corn Dog...heeeeere Corn Dog," a take the time to clarify, "You were walking your cat as well?" She told me that the cat likes to follow the dog and her on walks. I apologized immensely and put Chops on leash. I need to work with him on this, but his prey drive is extremely high. He catalogs in his mind, where he has seen small animals, and whenever we return to those places, he checks them excitedly. In any event, I am going to try some training with my mom's cat, when I get home.

Today we head out, and it is the next phase of my never ending summer: it started with Mexico post school, then the solo drive north for 1000mi, then Austin for two weeks, now a road trip west, then LA for a month, then north and Burning Man, then back to LA, then north again (with dogs and Espanoles) to SC and Berkeley, then back to LA, down to SD for Joe's SEALS graduation, and then back to Austin for ACL and the homestead...so it goes and here I come!