In no particular order I have posted some of the highlights from a recent "vacation" to Las Vegas. What a town. Though it is certainly not a place for a one-year-old, it was so very nice to visit with family. In actuality, the one-year-old did just fine, it was her parents that were hard pressed to relax amid the concern of over-stimulation for their cherished daughter. Really, she seemed to handle it just fine. 

Geoff receives flying lessons from Jennie.

Kiya in gray.

Kiya in deep thought.

Beer das guud!!

Hera's bubbles.

If this just doesn't say it all...

The world at knee-high.

This guy makes his money buy having his picture taken. Hmmm...

Yup.

I wonder where she learned that trick?

Grandpa Jim, Aunt Jennie and Ki

Brew ha-ha!

Super-spy!

Dad at his best!

and with sweet Lisa.

The people's eyebrow (brought to you by John).

Grrrrrr.....

Oui Paris!

Vegas is driving me...!

Something about that hat...

Lisa and Dad enjoy some quality buffet while 'not' posing for the camera.

Yes, they do enjoy each other's company.

Mama tries a trade for a hug.

Denise and David in full awards regalia.

Curiosity...

Ceasar says it best when he says, "The End."

Here's a quick compilation of shots from the past couple months with Steph and Kiya. First is a series from Mother's Day. One of my teachers at Brooks had us and several of their friends up to their place in Matilja canyon for breakfast. Truly wonderful time, truly wonderful people.

Kiya wearing sunglasses for her first time on the first of five moving days...

and making sure the phone still works...

For Steph's birthday we went to Auberge, a french restaurant in Ojai that has impeccable service, savory food and a world class view 

of the Topa Topa mountain range.

Several days later we traveled up the coast to San Luis Obispo to visit with 

Steph's aunt Cheryl and uncle Mark for his birthday.

Whew...always keep your camera with you.

Ring of Fire

At approximately 4:00 p.m., Monday afternoon a fire was reported heading uphill in Casitas Springs off of Nye Rd in the direction of the ranch once owned by Johny Cash. Fearing offshore winds sixteen units were dispatched including a helicopter and the blaze was quickly subdued. The fire was started when a weed-abatment mower operated by Brad Haley ran over some hidden wire. "When looked back and saw smoke," says Haley, "I cut a swath between it and the road (leading to the ranch) as quickly as I could." Property owner Chip Hickman, who happens to be the Battalion Chief for the Montecito Fire District, used a water hose on the property to attack the fire as well. There was no property or personal damage.

Astral Travel

This happend awhile ago, but it may help someone and it is a lovely story...

My girlfriend had a beautiful golden shepherd named Squaw who lived a long, happy and adventure filled life. She ultimately came to a place where she was losing control of her body from the tail up. For several months she ailed, soiling herself and everything around her. She was happy, as dogs are always happy, but you could tell she was disappointed and embarrassed with herself.

The hardest part for us I think was feeling guilty about putting her down. We didn't want to end her life because she was a nuisance, or smelled bad, or number of selfish accusations. It seemed so petty to not struggle through to the bitter end with her, shit, piss and all. So we did, we struggled on, like I said, for months. We would simply clean up after her, wiping her butt and trying to keep poopy dreads from forming on her tail. We would walk her ever so slowly so she still got exercise (a dog's favorite past time). We continued to pet her and give her treats. We kept doing this long after the house was filled with an incurable stink of waste and dying. And all of this I think because we were so against being 'bad' people.

Steph was ravaged with tears almost all the time, faced with the nasty decision one must face in those instances. She prayed and prayed for an answer, on what to do. While praying one morning, Squaw (who could barley stand up) came into our room and nuzzled Steph's chin, then laid her head on her lap. She claims that she could hear Squaw's voice (and if you've ever met this girl you'd believe her) saying it was okay, she had lived a happy life and was ready to go home now.

I think it was either the next day or the day after that the vet came to our house. While our roomates made a super-duper sloppy rice-chicken bullion-hamburger-dog chow slush (smelled so good I could have eaten it) Steph and I took her for one last walk. You could tell this sweet old lady knew it was her last as she daintily smelled every bush and flower along the way. She tried several times to go to the bathroom, but couldn't hold her back end steady enough to win that challenge.

When we got back the slurry was waiting, and as she happily gulped down the delight, we all lay on a blanket in the front yard. Soon the vet came and prepared the injection. Squaw I know knew what was coming and was fine with it. She lay down in the middle of all of us with her head on Steph's lap. The needle was injected and as it sank its bitter teeth, Squaw took the time to look at every one of us, saying her good byes, then gave Steph one last kiss as she looked her straight in the eyes and said, "its okay baby, I'll see you soon. Go on now, its time to play. Go on, you're okay." There was a long sigh, a final tail wag, and then tears.

Saying goodbye is no small task, as it can seem cruel, selfish and permanent. But I think perhaps none of this is true. Life is permanent, it simply takes different forms. And I think goodbyes are not forever either. I know you guys will get through this, its the nature of things, and I wish you good luck on your journey.

Taken about an hour before she traveled on...

Freedom

On the United Nations website, clearly displayed underneath the UN logo, is an interesting link. This special day was adopted by the UN in 1993 after a recommendation by UNESCO in 1991. The focus is built around, "Celebrating the Fundamental Principles of Press Freedom." How ironic that this day is my birthday.

A fundemental property of being prepared is readiness. We are none of us ready for all things all the time (excluding Tibetan Monks, Jesus, the profits and Jedi Masters ). So it stands that some things will pass us by. Yet it is our charge to remain vigilant of our lives and those things that effect us. The freedom of press afforded us by the Constitution provides a tremendous opportunity to do so.

However, our Constitution is quickly vanishing. Why? Because WE THE PEOPLE have allowed it to be gobbled up in the wake of insatiable monetary conquest. The urges and desires of the corporate elite have undermined the foundations of this once great country, and we have all sat dumbly by. Some have spied the writing on the walls, and known not what to do. Others continue to amble in their cluelessness.

As it stands, our media (press) is no longer free. As a generality, if you saw it on TV, it is probably wrong. At the very least spun. Much that would help shape a better world for all is expunged through the anus of our corporate media giant. It is not crazy to question information. It is not wrong to follow the money trail. Do a quick google search and see who owns your favorite network. In fact, click here to check for yourself.

I will end today by with this...pay attention brothers and sisters. There is, as much as I wish it were different, a tremendously powerful evil alive and well in this world. The press is, as a mechanism, a powerful weapon. It is time we take it back. Question your news. Ask the tough questions that our reporters are supposed to ask. With this, you shall be prepared.

Syncronocity and the art of Preparedness

For the sake of content I am posting here the namesake of this blog. It comes from the title of a post on the Ojai Valley News  blog that is dear to my heart. It also marks my entrance into the world of blog. Below is the original content...

We all have encountered moments categorized as 'coincidence', or 'fate', or some other attributable definition that brings reason to the moment. Too often we either dismiss the occurrence out of hand, or rely on the universal machinery of space and time to bring us into alignment with another special moment. I have learned that the old Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared," are words so wise they may have been etched in some ancient stone by divine hands. We have the ability in our loves to supercharge these little soul engines of ours, enhancing and increasing our experiences here. I would like to propose an adage to the idea that we grow old when we stop dreaming: we grow tired when we are no longer ready.

Be always ready for the grand adventure of life.

Two quick stories...

Last year (2005), I was sheltering my lawn from the angry August rays with water when suddenly I had the strong urge to go to Libbey Park. "Okay, I guess, lets go!" I told myself. With the words, "never leave your camera" mantras of so many mentors ringing in my ears, I drove downtown. Knowing nothing of why I was there, I figured I would bring my tripod with me and set off for the fountain. When I came around the corner, a full moon was waiting for me, perfectly poised between two trees and aligned with our little fountain. This piece is called Providence.

Second: I attended a Holiday Party recently, one in which the only thing I wanted to do was assimilate into the atmosphere of socially lubricated bliss and forget all the work that centers around this time. However, I brought my camera, knowing that if something 'cool' happened, I must be prepared to engage the moment. Halfway through the evening, a troop of fire dancers preformed, and by the graces of 'fate' I came away with another exciting image.

I am no great sage, nor even a great photographer, but I am this; a student of life, and I invite you to embrace life for what it is, your grand adventure. Remember to pack light, take only what you need, get plenty of rest, and jump at the OPPORTUNITY!!!

So it begins

In honor of the name of this particular blog, I must say, quickly, that 30 yrs have gone into the making of Rob Clement...I like what I see.