Friday, August 15, 2008

Walking Introspection

It occurred to me that I have been walking city streets late at night for most of my life. I don't mean taking a 15 or 20 minute walk. These are walks measured in miles and hours and stretching over several decades and continents.

At one time or another I have walked for hours in every major city on the
west coast of North America and many cities around the world. So much of who I am has been developed on these walks. These walks help create and define who I am and who I want to be. They allow me time to review decisions and choices and reflect on causality. I am at my happiest and my saddest during these walks. I am at my strongest and weakest as I wind my way in and out of seven figure neighborhoods and slums.

I have run for my life, been propositioned by men and women, physically assaulted by men and women, and abused by the police. I have stood my ground and fought. I have shared laughs with strangers and helped by strangers. I have met amazing people and truly disturbed people. I have witnessed the best in humanity and the taking of a human life.

Walking has allowed me to discover humanity and discover myself.

Monday, August 11, 2008

August in New York

Another flight,and another week in the Naked City. New York is quickly becoming the 2nd most familiar city to me. To think nothing of hopping on the subway and heading to a museum like MOMA: walking around SOHO and people watching:
or wandering around and seeing this:
makes you appreciate how much life can be enhanced by dense urban living. Until you hear sirens for 1.5 hours at 3am.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Day of the Reptiles

Lizards are living large in the house these days. Here is a picture of the lizard that makes his home along the back of the house. He was nice enough to pose near a standard size electrical outlet for size comparison.He has a cousin that lives in the house under the refrigerator. About the same size and just as fast. My thinking is that as long as they are around, there are no snakes.

One last look out the window before I hit the road again for some bi-coastal travel.