A NEW TRADITION

"Christmas was close at hand, in all his bluff and hearty honesty; it was the season of hospitality, merriment, and open-heartedness; the old year was preparing, like an ancient philosopher, to call his friends around him, and amidst the sound of feasting and revelry to pass gently and calmly away." CHARLES DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, 1836

I vividly remember the feeling I had as a child, driving to and from church on Christmas Eve. From the dark and windy Daniel Webster Highway to downtown Nashua, Main Street lined with trees elegantly lit with white lights.  All radio stations' holiday music catalogs wide open, cheerful spirit across the board. A light snow falls from above, illuminated by headlights and streetlamps. 

Entering church; "halls" decked, large advent wreath with a single white candle hangs front and center wrapped in a large white bow. Stained glass windows back lit by floodlights, cast iron candle holders fashioned at the ends of each pew, 3 glowing white candlesticks in each. The full choir uniquely accompanied by the young bell ringers; pipe organ full tilt in the front, brass horns in the back.  The musky scent of incense throughout the cathedral.

It had been nearly a decade when I attempted to recreate this scene last December 24th. 

I've made quite a habit; indeed a ritual, of walking down memory lane as much as possible when visiting home. I suppose the older we get, the more we cling to those memories that want to fade as the years roll by. Lately, the Christmas season has assumed a different shape than the one built by the post-WWII baby boomers. The loving couple with their adoring 2.5 children remains the idealistic American vision; however with the changing times come changing traditions. As with most evolving traditions, it's best to recognize the motion of the times, and adapt . .

All things exist in cycles, the calendar year is a prime example. The energy felt in our daily lives is shaped by the days, weeks, months, and seasons constituting our year. I was just commenting the other day about how much our lives are geared around visits from, and to, our friends and family. As the years progress, relationships grow better defined, as does my appreciation. Time, distance, maturity, and evolution combine to generate understanding as traditions continue to spring fourth . .

It's a Wonderful Life, The Nutcracker, Bing Crosby, Charlie Brown, A Christmas Carol, Home Alone, The Polar Express, Nat King Cole, Star Wars, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, The Messiah, The Night Before Christmas, 24 hours of A Christmas Story, Die Hard, Elf; the list has no end . .

Traditions come about in all shapes and forms at all different times. What constitute holiday traditions in some homes are the furthest from in others. For me, the trick to keeping Christmas time special is the practice of separating the commercial from the genuine. When holiday goods are displayed in stores at the beginning of October, I smile and recognize the comedy of our economy. As cashiers continue to be replaced by automated self-checkout machines; as the morale of those who remain continues to decline; I relax and take peace in the fact that it's only capitalism.

It's not real.

As you watch the classic, golden tungsten Christmas lights steadily replaced by the futuristic, bluish "long-life" fluorescence around town; please remember that the true value of the holiday season is not found in external materials, but in the hearts and memories of all people.

While much of the world finds great comfort in the religious, faith-backed causes for the season; and they should . . 

I suggest a new tradition . . 

Let's recognise and dissolve all categories which separate us for this brief period of time; and recognise how easily this experiment could be stretched out over the entire year. Let's recognise the true value of our time and those most deserving of it. Let's look through the superficial, man made classifications which plague most of us . . and celebrate the unlimited opportunities available to us if we could only evolve to our true capabilities. 

Peace and Love to each and all of you.

"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."             A Christmas Carol, 1843

LINCOLN FRAME OF MIND

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” 


Though less traditional as the years advance; I am pleased once again to watch the seasons progress as the holidays approach.

To begin most bike rides, I head a mile north, then east to the lake.  I do this because of the Lincoln statue that stands behind the Chicago History Museum.  The foliage surrounding the monument is a beautiful indication of the seasons; the statue itself is a marvel; and the man represented is one of the finest this nation has ever produced.

Upon approach, I develop a feeling of reverence; I adjust my energy, music, and imagination to embody the feeling a Union Soldier might have felt around the Commander in Chief during the Civil War.  I catch first glimpse of his silhouette 50 yards out; keep my eyes trained until I coast to the base of the monument . . 5 miles per hour; eyes fixed; I speak.

"I'm trying".

Lincoln's integrity resonates so deeply that knowledge of his very existence ennobles all willing to follow his example.  His legacy and influence bear such strength that those willing to recognize right from wrong and let their actions be motivated by the difference, should be considered equals.

Through reason and force, Lincoln unified the nation.

Veteran's Day has just past,
Thanksgiving is just around the corner . . 

The men and women of the United States Armed Forces are cherished for serving our country.  More accurately we salute the soldiers for fighting, risking their lives for the stars and stripes, and what they represent.  We express gratitude, feel remorse for their sacrifice, our hearts bleed for their pain and distress . .

Yet, we seldom ponder the roots of armed conflict; causes that lead us to perpetual battle on foreign land.  We honor those who have fallen, we commemorate some wars by name and the years in which they took place. The bloodshed and young lives taken make discussion of why we were involved in these affairs irrelevant.  When the topic does see the light of day, the reasons for our involvement are black and white, without room for interpretation.  Indeed, our nature has led us to a line of thinking where a human casualty strengthens a cause, and nullifies reason.

This entry was inspired largely by an idea that sparked in my mind a few weeks ago.  I realized that only through the invention of gun powder, and all technological advancement since, has this empire had the ability to reign over all nations.  Only through achievement in science does the current ruling body maintain control.  All styles of combat, all forms of martial arts from all nations and times were rendered obsolete once war was mechanized.  This isn't to say that the nation with the most toys wins regardless of circumstance; Vietnam was more than a lesson in this.  However, what it does say is that thousands of years of hand to hand combat techniques are brought to a level playing field when Uncle Sam opens his tool shed.  Men and women who've known nothing of war, nor their forefathers, are combat ready warriors with 6 months of training, and an automatic weapon.   

We've gone so far in advancing military technology; advertising for war based video games is nearly indistinguishable from that for the US Armed Forces . .

Call of Duty: Operation Enduring Freedom?

I propose that if President Lincoln had not been shot; had he lived to see his 200th birthday last year, he would have been strictly against all foreign intervention since his term in Washington.  He would demand an end to all comparison between him and the current president.  Abe Lincoln's name and image have been celebrated and honored for more than a century, yet few acknowledge how vehemently he would oppose the state of the union since his untimely passing.

A man like Lincoln, under no circumstance, would authorize the construction of an Atomic Bomb.

Or its use.

I would not presume to claim personal insight to the deepest thoughts of Lincoln.  Yet, I can say he was a man of reason; and based on the historical record, reason may have left the White House the same time he did.  

This is why I seek the Lincoln frame of mind.


"Every time that we state a truth, we must know that truth destroys all that is unlike itself and frees the thought of the one whom we wish to help and heal . . . Truth is, just as much as God is; and the whole world is coming gradually to the realization of it. Keep the truth within your own soul, lift your own self above the confusion of life, and then people will believe" Ernest Holmes

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Focus on the positive. The glass is half full. 
We are in a rough patch, it will pass . . .

Throughout the month of October, the most respected skyline in the western hemisphere is accented with pink highlights. Pink floodlights fixed on the tallest antennae, projection lighting panels switched from white to pink throughout the city.

America's modern distraction of preference, the National Football League, is also accessorized from head to toe with pink throughout the month.

I assume all who read this recognize that this "pink" represents breast cancer awareness in American culture, much like "red" represents aids awareness; and as of this year, "teal" represents ovarian cancer awareness.

For the sake of argument, please think of this white text on black background as awareness awareness.

As I grow older, the writing on the walls around me gets easier and easier to decipher. Some techniques are obscure, sometimes making me smirk with their clever deception. Others clamor so loudly, reek of such "bait and switch" corruption, that I can't avoid frustration.

The inception of this interpretation, and perhaps strongest example of this technique was the implementation of American flags on automobiles after the attacks of 9/11. The way in which "patriotism" was bolstered by such a disgusting, improbable operation deeply frustrated me. Each sticker represented another lost soul, clueless to the ramifications of that day, and who was truly responsible for those unspeakable acts.

The motivation for this entry was the influx of pink as I look around my city, and around the NFL. This is such a blatant shell game that it boggles my mind. Like the yellow "Live Strong" bracelets, Gap's "Red" initiative, and America's short lived "Text money to Haiti" craze . . . pink October reeks of yet another misappropriation of funds. While there's plenty of discussion about looking for a cure, in this instance, "awareness" indicates early detection followed by treatment. It goes without saying that I look forward to the eradication of all cancer; the principle argument is how we are best equipped to go about this.

Preventative measures are our strongest weapons against such afflictions. But there can be no nationwide rally around such a concept. If simple, straight forward diet and lifestyle advice were proven effective, would the powers that be broadcast these remedies? (please see attached link) If a cure were developed, would it be made available and spread to all people infected throughout the world regardless of cost?  How many billions of dollars are spent each year in the US alone to treat infected patients? How many hundreds of thousands are employed exclusively due to this process? How long until we recognize that money thrown at a problem is not converting to tangible work the way it's advertised?

Our perception is guided by cameras and computers, imagery and popular opinion. Our reality is, and has been, manufactured by architects of history far beyond comprehension, well beyond any traditional education. Promotion of free thought is all but lost in American society . .

The causes our nation rallies behind are determined by committees comprised of unelected officials. There is no vote, or quantifying measure to decide which challenges are worthy of our attention and united efforts. There's no convenient explanation why, for example; the earthquake that ravaged Haiti earned our genuine concern, while just a few years prior similar circumstances devastated island nations of southeast Asia yielding little more than media coverage . .

The truth is, there is an agenda. Causes that fit the agenda are embraced, exploited, and paraded from sea to shining sea. Events are fabricated and exaggerated to promote this Agenda.

The Agenda is Profit.
Profit equals Wealth.
Wealth equals Control.
The great awakening has begun . . 

It's Black & White.


http://www.naturalnews.com/030020_breast_cancer_awareness.html

EARTH

"We depend upon free inquiry and free access to knowledge. We humans have seen the atoms which constitute all of nature and the forces that sculpted this work and others. We have found that the molecules of life are easily formed under conditions throughout the cosmos. We have mapped the molecular machines of the heart of life. We have discovered a microcosm in a drop of water; we have peered into the bloodstream and down on the stormy planet to see the earth as a single organism." -Carl Sagan

I was up late the other night working on some music, studio monitor headphones plugged into my computer.  I paused the music and removed my headphones to discover an electrical buzz ringing throughout the apartment.  I checked the television: it was off.  I checked the stereo: also powered off.  Vibrations in the walls are sometimes generated from the building's heating and cooling system; I checked them: nothing.  Finally, I walked over to check the seal of our large, metal-framed windows, turned the latch, and the sound stopped.  Puzzled, I re-latched the window, began to step away as the buzz came back:  sharp, piercing . .  I looked up, eye level out towards the city, there it was . .  

Nearly 100 yards above the earth, on a window outside the 29th floor, a green, grasshopper-looking insect 2" in length.  I peered in for a closer look, flashlight in hand.  Antennae oscillating in circles, the sides of the torso pulsing rapidly in and out like the lungs of a fatigued runner . .

Have you ever watched an insect breathe? 

My last entry focused on changes in nature, many from our influence.  Much of the reading and research I've done since my move to Chicago has centered around the interconnected nature of existence . . the energy that surrounds and binds us to everything else.  I've also been learning about the connection between nature and time-- cycles and behaviors of life that we're only now beginning to recognize.  The unexpected and surprising habits of insects and animals have been clamoring for attention of late; what their actions are pointing towards is not yet clear . . . but certainly worthy of a closer look.

The idea of our entire planet forming a single organism flooded my head last Sunday morning.  I had embraced the notion years ago, but for some reason, on this particular morning, a crystal clear vision and understanding of this concept formed in my mind.  I was driving back to the city from a friend's lake house in Wisconsin when it came to me.  Perhaps spawned from some time spent away from the urban scape, or maybe thinking of new friends and my connection to them . . . probably a mix of the two.  

The literal concept quickly turned visual as I began to imagine positive energy created between my friends and I as glowing light.  I saw a moving image of dots on the globe, creative souls gathering together working towards a common goal, more and more light radiating as the dot collective increased.  This light represented positive change, healing, solving of problems, solutions to the planets ills.  The vision was the result of recognizing our capabilities as a human race unified . . . 

a greater understanding of "harvesting star light" as Carl put it.   

Imagine each earthly element playing the role of a single cell.  Just like cells of the human body, earth elements unite to create forms, perform specific functions, and combat obstacles.  Imagine an infrared satellite image of Earth from orbit . .  telescope in and focus on individual regions or bodies of land . . imagine the light you're zooming in on representing positive, nurturing activity and the people responsible for it.

The light in our model is only a stimulating symbol for an actual field of energy.  I'm not aware of any device capable of physically capturing an image of this energy, but its existence is concrete.  This force is perhaps the least understood and most important layer of existence.  The concept has been around since the earliest civilizations but like so many other great understandings, has yet to receive popular embrace in the new world. 

As darker, less predictable times approach it will become more and more important that we farm and harvest this star light . . .

Our destiny has our children, and children's children inheriting a planet requiring their illumination . . . 

We must work to understand our responsibility for this moment in time . . . and shine.

MODIFICATION

The formation of the universe, creation of planets, and origin of life have been interpreted from varied perspectives since the dawn of time.

From whichever school of thought you hail, one thing must be held as universal truth; Earth's complex systems of life are our greatest examples of perfection.  

The solutions to our most challenging obstacles are more and more often solved through natural means.  The further our technological advancement reaches, the more it replicates nature.   

Nature is perfect.

As our planet evolves, obvious visible changes in nature are present all around us.  

Visible; even through insects.  

The variety and volume of low-altitude spiders in the South Bay was astonishing.  I often recount the scene at a late summer game at Dodger Stadium a few years back.  Freakishly large, incredibly fast moths, with what looked like a protective exoskeleton were flying around the park in huge numbers.  It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced, and something I knew I'd never forget.   

The Windy City has showcased countless high-rise window spiders, massive groups of dragonflies along Lake Michigan, and the deafening siren-like buzz of male cicadas from the tree lined parks.  I've read about the cicadas natural cycle, they historically appear en mass once every 17 summers.  However this year, due to extremely hot conditions without much rainfall, they've appeared 4 years before scheduled.  There was another scene months back on my building's roof deck; the air had an automotive exhaust like smell and feel to it.  Small, fly like bugs were hovering in swarms while hundreds of small birds darted around the theater, presumably feasting on the insects.  

Years of air and water pollution have provided great assistance in creating our current conditions.  

From ecosystems, to weather conditions, to physical human features, alterations throughout nature have made significant impact throughout our world.

This is one of the most ominous signs of our time.

Aside from unfortunate cases of birth defects/deformities, humans are compiled of elements handed down from family members who came before.  Features of the face, body shape, hair pattern, skin tone; all derived from generations past. 

The first notion that some natural born feature of the young woman, or young man, does not fit the parameters society has agreed upon . . . medical science has a solution for sale.

Modification.

This is an alarming step in our "evolution".

The further society leans towards appearance over substance, the greater the demand for cosmetic modification.  

The complexities of nature and the time in which we live make it difficult for us to break down the events and advancement around us into pieces of a great puzzle.  However, the more you allow yourself to accept, the easier it is to digest.

The population in American/European influenced world has agreed upon an ultimate image of beauty.  Celebrity has set the tone for attractive versus ugly.  When young girls are born nearly perfect in this day in age, the one feature out of proportion can be surgically modified.

This single move is a blatant disrespect for natural order.

In all cases I've been witness to, there is no such thing as singular surgery when it comes to personal modification.  Please refer to the greatest celebrities of our time as the years progress . . . notice the changes in their appearances . .

It becomes as regular as a fitness routine, or a drug addiction.

There is born an unquenchable need for approval, and an unending quest for "beauty".

These are the circumstances we are faced with.

The notion of "man playing god" is far more than a popular cliche.  It is a concept that holds world changing implications.  There is no way to quantify exactly how or to what degree order is disturbed; there's simply a feeling that something is out of place.  The greater influence children have on their parents, the more adults try to preserve appearance of youth; the more artificial relationships become.  The old adage "it's what inside that counts" seems to be yesterday's news.  I often muse at how awesome movies were when actors were picked for their talent before their looks.  These days the most evil characters you'll find on the screen are just as beautiful as the male and female leads.  We are so focused on the surface of our reality, depth is all but ignored.

As has been the overall theme of the Smog Chronicles since inception; substance is forever greater than appearance.  Creation is the example; all we must do is pay attention, and follow her lead.  Harmony between man and his surroundings is essential to the survival of both.   Alterations to the landscape, or the human face, are a disruption to life in session.  What seems like an insignificant alteration creates a disconnect that can never fully reconnect.

As part of nature, we are perfect exactly the way god created us.

Digital Underground - No Nose Job

THE SANDS OF TIME

The beaches of southern Maine are blanketed with soft white sand.

Out on the Atlantic, along with an array of sailboats; countless buoys dot the horizon.  Most of them are attached to lobster traps on the sea floor.  A single-propeller plane, with a lettered sign in tow, pans the length of the beach advertising a local restaurant.   A gentle sea breeze carries the sound of gulls, waves crashing, children playing, and traces of Red Sox baseball on AM radio.

-     -     

Twenty miles north of the Port of Los Angeles, just north of the Palos Verdes peninsula; South Santa Monica Bay, California.  Sand ranges from fine to course; much imported by trucks over the years.  A fine grey dust coats the beach.  Tire tracks.  A power plant towers above to the east.  The area is host to three oil refineries;  three tanker ships are within eye shot on the Pacific.  International waters, where much of the city's waste is deposited, begin just 5 miles off the coast.  Helicopters chop north and south along the shoreline throughout the day.

-     -     

My mother grew up working on her family farm in Aroostook County, Maine.  On a visit home to New England few years back, I walked with her to a stream she and her siblings use to drink from.  Her enthusiasm with how cold and clear the water was had me immediately embrace this simple pleasure.  

Much of the surrounding farm land was quiet;  having not been harvested in years.  

Each time I visit, I hold close how much it feels like it must have fifty years ago . . 

Houlton, ME is as close as I've been to the way things were.

-     -     

The city of Chicago is America's best answer to the Pyramids of Egypt.  A man made marvel with each structure more unique and impressive than the last.  An amazing array of architectural variances from an incredible stretch of time. With a simply look, it's obvious how it earned the title; "City of the Century".  

My year here has brought me great perspective of past meeting present.  

From Boston, to Los Angeles, to Chicago; I've been living within cutting edge surroundings for over a decade.  From growing up in a small town in New Hampshire; my instincts had me looking towards the bigger and more extravagant.  Yet, something ancient in me has had me yearning for simpler times since the beginning . .  

My latest port of call has provided a greater sense of being.

The question: Are we better off today than we were in the past?

The debate will never reach a conclusion; there are too many valid points to each side . .  

Before the industrial revolution, the planet was a far cleaner, healthier place.  Before television and internet, parents had far more command of their children's education and exposure to the world.  Before personal electronic communication, people had more meaningful relationships with one another.  Before the discovery of oil and natural gas, our food was more natural and wholesome, and the population was sustainable.

On the other hand; industry has pushed medical technology to a stage eons beyond the imagination of previous generations.  Life expectancy has practically doubled over the past few centuries.  Children have access to unlimited volumes of information; well beyond the limitations of their local public libraries.  Electronic communications have enabled people to connect from all corners of the globe; given people the ability to remain a click away from those they'd like to keep in contact with.  Fossil fuels have not only created an unprecedented increase in population, but also kept it comfortable to this point.  Fuel has also enabled us convenient access to all nations on Earth via automobile, train, sea vessel, and airplane.    

Quality of life is not quantifiable . .

There is no way to properly score the advantage to disadvantage ratio of old versus new . . 

It's all a matter of opinion.

I like to think things were much simpler and less stressful before the information age went ballistic.  I fully embrace the modern luxuries I possess and recognize the great challenges of years long ago . .  

But at what cost?

As technology stacks upon technology, disinformation stacks upon information, commerce paves across earth, oil invades ecosystems, and distraction clogs television and radio waves . . 

I tend to believe less just might be more.

-     -

I'm heading back east in the morning for a week and a half.  I look forward to returning to the nature and personal who raised me.  I look forward to seeing the people who helped shape my foundation.

I'm thankful technology enabled me to get this message to you.

Sand continues to pass through the hourglass . . .

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-garbage-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html

MAINSTREAM SUPERHIGHWAY

The road is paved from end to end.

There are streetlights every hundred yards.

Construction is perpetual; exits made fewer and further between with each passing day. The course is set; there are no alternate routes.

Speed limits are strictly enforced and staggered with traps. Just when a motorist finds a comfortable cruising pace, the limit drops, leaving him vulnerable to capture. There are cameras monitoring movement at every intersection and toll booth. The only real open space is found in extremely unpopulated areas, during the dark hours of early morning. Congestion; slow moving traffic is the general condition.

All information available on the mainstream superhighway originates from the same source. It is broadcast in several formats through a variety of channels. The music available is limited to the approved play list by the approved distributors. All news stories have been selected, filtered, and accepted for broadcast by the controlling interests. Television and feature films are subject to the same inspection and editing.

Human habits are obvious and alike on the Superhighway. Each person acts in accordance with the person in front of them. Everyone falls in line on the predictable path; paved smooth, brightly lit. All ingest the same diet of information, taking cues from the reactions of all the people around them. They encounter the same driving hazards at the same time and react in harmony. As the first person reacts, so too will the hundredth. There's no room for speculation driving along the Mainstream, no one dares to venture from the accepted interpretation, there's no room for original thought and behavior.

There is a better route.

It's known as the road less traveled.

The state does not provide light down this path.  You're required to provide your own. You're best prepared learning to operate under moonlight.

The path is not straight.

It isn't smooth.

There are no traffic lights or street signs; monitoring or interference by police. You'll rarely run into traffic; free to move at your own pace.

The news stories do not benefit corporations, or place false blame on innocent people or countries. Information does not surface to bolster patriotism, nor distract from international misdoing. News on this road less traveled does not avoid the on-going destruction of planetary ecosystems from the pillaging of earths remaining natural resources.

The movies rarely reach blockbuster status, and never make the list of "biggest opening weekends". They come it all shapes and sizes, from an endless collection of tremendously creative forces. The stories have meaning; heart.

The music is not judged based on its position on the pop-charts, or number of albums sold. It comes from all corners of the globe from infinitely varying people, instruments, and methods. The sound is what determines music's quality, not popularity.

The television programs are found mainly late at night, many on public broadcasting, many uncensored and available only through premium channels. The perspective presented is often considered "fringe" or "counter-cultural". There are no liberal or conservative platforms; only a clear distinction between right and wrong.

The Mainstream Superhighway was designed to funnel the masses into a predictable, stable state of normalcy. American history is written following it's signs, guidelines, and limitations. Riding the superhighway requires no thought; decisions are limited . .

Won't you join me in breaking this fragile eggshell that has contained us for so long?  Won't you look at things for what they are, rather than as they appear?  Could you look at your existence through new eyes, exploring the unlimited possibilities and potential you hold?  

For every hill you climb, every crooked path you explore; strength is built, knowledge is gained.  

Each obstacle you face, all challenges beckoned; yield priceless experience and insight.

We are the creators; we are the individuals with the power to determine the future of this nation, and our planet.  Earth gives us all the lessons we could ever need, if we've only the wisdom to listen.  Sustainability requires us all to stray from the Mainstream Superhighway.  New methods are required; the great awakening will not come about following the old norms.  We are too incredible a species to be simplified into categories; herded like mindless, voiceless sheep.  If you're ever feeling insignificant, powerless; drop me a line . . . I will always make time to explain your infinite strength, contribution, and potential.


"Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail" -Ralph Waldo Emerson

ORIENTATION

Being human is like a guest house.
Each morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all.
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice; meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. 
-RUMI


Personal communication has advanced to a point where we're able to remain in touch with as many people as we like; to whatever extent we choose. As our collections of "friends" on the web continue to grow, how are the depths of our relationships affected? Is it possible that the easier it is to keep in touch, the more remote our connections become?

Each who reads this message has left a valuable, impacting impression on my life in some way. Through the miracle of modern technology; two weeks back, I was able to lift over 100 of your e-mail addresses with the click of a button.

I was unexpectedly pleased, in a unique and unfamiliar way, from a single click.

The Smog Chronicles began nearly a year ago. Prior to this posting there were around 50 recipients, more or less comprised of anyone who's phone number I've had.

There isn't any advertising or product placement here. No donations requested or surveys to be filled out. No "groups" to join, "becoming a fan", "likes", or "friend requests".

Here I share discovery, insight, and truth.

I'm not reaching out to each of you because I want something; I'm reaching out because I have something to give you.

Love.

With the mass increase of recipients, there's a good chance this letter, and ones to follow, will be automatically routed to your spam folders. It's possible that some of you might feel my words right at home with the rest of your "junk mail". Others might simply find difficulty processing and accepting what I have to share. Though I sincerely hope you read this message and embrace it's singular calling, if you'd prefer not to be bothered with it, please let me know . .

By no means would I attempt to add water to a glass that's already full.

You are reading these words because you mean more to me than can be relayed through the generic confines of Facebook. As I continue to craft entries, the knowledge that you might take time out of your day to check in with me and my perspective will provide great inspiration for me to shine light as best as I can.

The first 16 entries are accessible in the blog archive on the right side of your page should you choose to absorb the foundation of this effort.

Those who've been along since the beginning; thanks for your perpetual endorsement.

Everything is connected.  

Everyone is connected.

THE SMOG WARRIOR

On the day I was born into this world, four of our planets were separated from each other by square aspects, 90 degrees apart.  There was one planet in each astrological element; fire, earth, air, and water.  In astrology, this is known as a Grand Cross.  Each sign, represented by a planet's position, contains the same strength of quality, working to nullify it's counterpart.  This effect pulls a person in many directions, generally leading to indecisiveness and inability to produce concrete achievements.  It is said to require extraordinary efforts to overcome the conflict generated in a Grand Cross . . . Those who succeed are known to achieve remarkable personal growth and self-fulfillment.

Los Angeles; 2004.

Green Jeep Wrangler Sahara hauling through the city on the 110 South at 80 miles per hour. 

No top. 

Soundtrack: a blistering electronic dose . . Each night from Pasadena to Redondo Beach . . The skyline, the energy of the city, bright shining lights.  Strong winds.

Smog is invisible when the sun goes down.

I'd just picked up a Fuji 24 speed; the South Bay was too inviting to live long without the freedom of spinning 2 wheels on the bike path along the shore . .

Pacific sunsets.

Midnight rides.

Techno.  Film Score.  Hard Rock.  Push-Ups.  Hip-Hop.  Trance Blues.  Heavy Metal.  Pull-Ups.  Tenacity.

For the first time in my life, I was able to taste the air around me.

I had become The Smog Warrior.

I knew my situation would ultimately prove beneficial in my understanding the way of the world; the fabric of my surroundings. 

I was exploring who I was; where I was.

Seasons dissolved . .  Life without weather . .  Wildfires . .

I developed a feeling that the poor air quality could be transformed from hazardous, to constructive, by building immunity.  My respiratory system would strengthen to help combat the toxic air.  I took pride in the fact that my open-air means of transportation was both unique and extreme.  The way I saw it, no one in the city was taking in oxygen, or pollution, at the same rate, speed, or volume that I was.

Living in the media capital of the world with intent to fill one of the the most coveted positions of all, in a pool of competition, odds against me stacked through the roof . .

During a rough time half-way through my California tenure, an older friend of mine laid the following quote on me: "Christ Benny, you're like me, you see a smooth path between the mountains and choose to head straight into the steepest, most difficult climb over them."

Is it any surprise that after 5 years spinning my wheels, shifting focus from one arena to the next, a calling comes into clear focus, and is possibly the greatest challenge one could imagine?

How do you go about coaxing an entire population to unlearn most information conditioned upon them since birth?  How do you invite someone to revaluate everything they think they know about history, life, Earth, and their nations role in it?  How can you illustrate the necessity of a great awakening in order to fix the planet and protect all its inhabitants?

Just as I've catalyzed smog infected air into respiratory vaccine, my job is to ingest smog-ridden media, and yield pure uncut truth . .

The public, by in large, is in fear of or overwhelmed by, such a potent dose of truth . . it is so different than all they've come to assume as their reality.

It's easy to understand folks; life on our planet can only resume for some time to come if we play an active role in protecting her natural cycles.  The lifestyle we've come to know as "normal" must be reevaluated and adjusted based on a new energy structure and medium.  Oil, natural gas, and all other combustable fossil fuels are made of ancient life . . . Just as manure is rotated from waste to the key component of new food growth, natural resources must too exist in a cycle.  But for generations, they have not. 

These resources are finite.  Presently, our energy use is infinite.

Each person who reads this holds irreplaceable value.  Regardless of your opinions, allegiances, and beliefs, your merit is unmatched.  If I am to supersede the odds and reach the greatest of all accomplishments, you will be principally responsible . . . and deserving of much credit.

It's not easy to remove yourself from the crowd and stand up for what you truly believe in.

The Chronicles have only just begun. 

THE INFORMATION

"There's a war out there, old friend.  A world war.  And it's not about who's got the most bullets.  It's about who controls the information.  What we see and hear, how we work, what we think . . it's all about the information! 

Pollution.  Crime.  Drugs,  poverty,  disease,  hunger,  despair - we throw GOBS of money at them and problems only get worse. Why is that?  Because money's most powerful ability is to allow bad people to continue doing bad things at the expense of those who don't have it. 

The world isn't run by weapons anymore, or energy, or money. It's run by little ones and zeroes, little bits of data.  It's all just electrons".  

-BEN KINGSLEY as "COSMO" SNEAKERS 1992

The greatest obstacle facing human sustainability is ignorance.  Well past the ignorance towards the laws of nature and the facts of life; in the digital age, ignorance has mutated into its deadliest form.  From radio airwaves to cable television, dial-up to wi-fi, cell phone to iPhone; disinformation has gone viral, and infected our nation like a plague.  

Over the past decade, It's become clear that the overwhelming majority of American citizens view what's seen on television, read in newspapers, and received on-line as raw truth.  

Those that control this information command the most powerful hand at the table.  The more faith we put into instant news and technology, the further removed we become from actual events and their implications.  The most impacting stories in the history of our nation are organized and delivered to the masses in an easy to digest outline.  There are generally very few loose ends attached when the public is briefed on these most trivial events.  After the two largest attacks endured on American soil, the step by step explanations were delivered to the public within hours of impact.  Official stories are issued to the people and dry like cement in a single afternoon.  Aside from a rare, unforeseen inquiry or concern voiced by the people, the instant reactionary story compiled remains unchanged for the rest of time.  It's become our nature to thirst for information, clutch the first explanation we find, and spread it as far and wide as we can as soon as we can.

How would you feel if that precious, sought after, held so dearly story, was not true?  What if the attacks on our nation were blamed on parties who weren't involved?  How would you feel if you discovered the actual guilty parties were being protected by the outlet feeding you your news?  What would you think if you discovered a plot to kill Americans was designed and funded by the same people who created and distributed the "official story" in the press?

Welcome to: Reality 101. 

The natural disasters that have taken place over the past several years . . . Perpetual U.S. military conflict in the Middle East . . .

Worldwide chaos documented daily by media outlets urging all to prepare for something major . . .

The scenereo I'm about to present is as dark and as real as it will ever get.  

Please pause for a moment to clear your mind. 

Imagine a hot, lazy Sunday afternoon in late July . . .  A family is spending time together around the pool in the suburbs . . .  friends gather in the city for a roofdeck barbeque, ball game on the radio as 40,000 fans pack the stadium for a mid-summer showdown between division rivals . . .  kids playing in their yards, parks, and streets . . .  a young couple is showered with rice as they walk down the cathedral steps, hand in hand . . .  a baby is born, oblivious, into this world, at the county hospital as the sun begins to set . . .

-FLASH-

The sky is split by 5 seconds of brilliant, blinding flourecent light . .

-KA-BOOM-  

The earth shakes as if it were struck by a meteor . .

A wave of energy sounding of a thousand freight trains, moving like the hounds of hell races through the city, laying waste everything in its path . .

The sky grows dark as the sun is shielded by the formation of a mile high mushroom cloud over Metropolis.

Within 15 minutes, the emergency broadcast system is put to use and all media outlets are commondeared by the White House . .

The President comes on and addresses the nation with a very breif, direct announcement, vowing to find out just who was responsible, and "make them pay" for what they've done . .

Within hours, the President once again addresses the nation.  This time in a formal, prepared speech, live from the Oval Office.

Blue suit.  Red tie.

It's at this critical juncture where the president lays blame, draws the ultimate line in the sand.

Start; World War III.

A nation so utterly devistated, terrified, desperate; clings to the words of the commander in cheif as if witness to the voice of god.  Whoever received credit for the attack in this address now holds a 0% chance of clearing their name to the American people forever.

IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO COMMITS A CRIME AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  IT ONLY MATTERS WHO IS BLAMED.  MEDIA HAS THE ULTIMATE AND FINAL SAY IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE ON PLANET EARTH.

There is a map . . . if we only have the strength and wisdom to read and understand it.  Patterns have formed over the past few centuries in our nation, many trends have been set.  

If you don't know the past, you can't know the future . . those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.  

The great issue is that our history has been dictated to us since the invention of the printing press.  Reporters, news outlets, and networks and are bought and sold like all elements of entertainment.  As a society, we've gone so far in the directon of trust in reguards to mass media, it has become inconceivable, to most, that news stories could be slanted to serve an agenda.

Read between the lines and discover the reality of your world.

It is your duty as an American citizen.

This has been your atomic wake up call.

GLOBAL POSITIONING

The more often I hear about how cold it is outside, the more frequently I see people shuttering, wide-eyed, proclaiming; "it's freezing out there", the more inspired I am to take a walk. The overwhelmed public's fear of cold is just part of the motivation for my urban-arctic excursions. I learned at a very young age that apparel was available that would enable me to thrive in nearly any environment for nearly any length of time. Did you ever spend a full day sledding as a kid? Have you ever been on a chair-lift heading up a mountain only to have it stop, suspending you in mid-flight for a series of minutes?  It's getting colder out there folks, and the summers seem to be getting hotter. 

Years prior to my move, I'd been mentally preparing for re-entry into frozen conditions. Getting fully outfitted for said conditions was far less expensive than expected, and was quite a good time. Though I am excessively warm blooded, the fact remains that if you are overpowered by cold, you are not properly dressed. As Uncle Ebenezer one said; "These are garments Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly". 

Not a day passes when I don't recognize and give thanks for the luxury I possess with heat and hot water in my home. Each time I take a shower, I think of how fortunate I am to have the power to turn a knob and receive instant heat. What percent of the world's population has the ability to do this? 

Technology is crucial towards the advancement of the human race. It is also hugely responsible for preservation of life on this planet of diminishing natural resources, increasingly turbulent weather, and geopolitical chaos. With advancements taking place in nanotechnology, it seems the synthesis between biology and technology is closer than we might realize. Artificial organs are just the beginning, soon, most of the human construct will be available for recreation by way of science. Clearly, the gifts received through scientific advancement are invaluable. 

Elements of the original Global Positioning System were the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Maps of the stars date back as early as 16,500 BC. Maps of land date back as far as 3,800 BC. The earliest surviving map of the world, the Babylonian World Map, is dated 600 BC. The compass was invented in China between 1,000 BC and 200 AD, and was first put to practical use in navigation during the 10th century. Sixteen years ago, complete consumer coverage of the globe was established through a matrix provided by a network of 24 satellites in orbit. Increasingly these days, it seems without a digital GPS navigation device, people are having trouble making it from home to their local 7-Eleven. 

Through the course of history, man has had the opportunity to grow closer to nature, and the planet as a whole. The natural evolution of our minds and bodies have built a fundamental intuition. This intuition not only allows us to read and interpret all life on earth, but also in which direction we travel, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Only by our own volition are we able to stray from this course of bonding. The same micro-technology available to lengthen and preserve life, has been allowed to create a divide between man and nature. 

In the decade surrounding my birth; VHS, audio cassette, and the compact disc format were introduced to the general public. Laser-discs were conceived, born, and died before my 21st birthday. The second job I ever held was at Circuit City; May '97 through January '99. During this brief stint, two major advancements in consumer electronics were sprung on the fine people of New England. First came Digital Video Discs (DVD), next, digital personal wireless telephones. True analog cellular telephone technology came to light in 1973, and remained the industry standard for over twenty years. The switch to digital (2G) came in the late '90s. Digital mobile phones enabled the consumer with an average income the means to take part in "personal communications". Talk time became cheap. A life long movie and technology buff, I fast became the first person I knew with a DVD collection. After my first year of college I purchased a Nokia digital phone, and once again became the only person I knew that had one. 

For the sake of this entry, "Generation Y" will refer to those born between 1974 and 1980. We the members of Gen Y have witnessed and been a part of the greatest advancements in the history of micro-technology. We have the widest understanding of personal electronics at work. In addition to maturing in phones, music, and movies; think about television, video games, computers, Internet, and wireless electronics. We have been here, living the evolution of all technology, hands on, in real time. It is our generation that has the ability to separate genuine from artificial. We have the vision to identify "flash in the pan" gimmicks from real progress. 

3G personal telephones, and personal GPS navigators, are the two devices that seem to have entranced our nation. The WWII generation has pretty much left these alone, they also seem to be the only ones with their feet still on the ground. So we'll divide the living into these 4 categories for this study. WWII, baby boomers, the gens (x/y), and teenagers. Through personal research and discovery; the baby boomers and teenagers seem to stand on common ground when it comes to personal electronics. Though the gens use these devices as much as the boomers and teens, we use them far more practically. They are viewed as accessories, useful tools in communication. The boomers and teens have placed such value and loyalty into these gadgets, it has prompted closer review. 

Cell phones in many cases have replaced; imagination, face to face relationships, hand written letters, patience, attention spans, and independence. These days, if you don't immediately respond to a persons call or text message, you must be ignoring them. Just a decade ago, you had a home phone and answering machine. You'd come home, look for a flashing light, and listen to your messages. At times, several days would pass before you received a return call. These days, cell phones frequently take precedence over real people in your life. While growing up I was taught that it is impolite to watch television when someone is talking to you. Over the past several years, it has become commonplace to check your cell phone frequently during conversation. Cell checks sometimes indicate boredom, sometimes illustrate a greater interest in people outside, often, they simply make one feel special, e.g. "someone must be trying to get in touch with me" or "oh, someone texted me earlier, I'll text back right now". 

Most of us have a personal computer at our fingertips for a good stretch of each day. For several decades, e-mail has provided the ability to send a message to the other side of the planet in a matter of seconds. The birth of the Internet brought people together in a way inconceivable years before. The tremendous value of the written word gained the ability to travel at the speed of light through cyberspace. Just think, 100 years ago, a written message could only travel as fast as steam locomotive and horseback could carry it. Time put into fashioning a quality e-mail, in your own time, is a wonderful thing. 

The age old sentiment about men refusing to ask for directions has taken on greater meaning than ever before. GPS has replaced the dog as mans best friend. When I was growing up, access to orbiting satellites was at the exclusive disposal of our government. Here in 2010, pre-teenagers can carry that same technology in their lunch-boxes. People have a new found "freedom" in not having to think while traveling from point A to point B. In addition, no more empowering the gas station attendant by letting him point you in the right direction. I've seen a friendly Chicagoan walk up to a tourist with his GPS/phone in hand, scratching his head. He asked the man, "Hey, can I offer some assistance?".  The man responded with a scowl, "No, I'm fine!". To me, this translated to; remote machines give better directions than the locals. 

Whatever happened to exploration? Trusty old maps and compasses? Looking at a map generates an irreplaceable feeling of independence; seeing the places we can go, viewing the world as our canvas. We need to take time out and recognize that some advancement is not necessary and can even diminish a portion of our god given abilities. The notion of personal electronics being connected to a satellite feels like wearing a leash to me. On the subject, the way people walk down the street with phone in hand leading the way always reminds me of a dog being walked. Whether you are the master and your dog is the phone, or your phone is the master and you are the dog, something is definitely out of balance. 

Our relationships, both personal and professional, have never enjoyed so many channels of communication. Recognition of these luxuries and their temporary, fleeting nature must always be kept close at hand. Last May, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report warning that some GPS satellites could fail as soon as 2010. Much like appreciating the ease and convenience of hot water from the tap, we must be able to imagine a world without such digital communicative distraction. We need to recognize our place in nature and never let our true connections diminish. 

Exploration starts within us.