There is an abundance of (seemingly) free crap in the world. Free latte! (just fill out this survey!) Free phone! (with two year contract.) Free whatchamacallit junk (just pay shipping and handling.) Free puppies! (take two!)
But sometimes, there are some real gems to be had. In our old apartment, most of our high end furniture was free. We’ve had several free nights in hotels and numerous free meals. And most recently, we will fly to Mexico for free
The Pacific Coast of Oregon is incredibly varied, with an abundance of natural beauty. During the years we lived in Seattle, we never made the trip. Funny how you never visit the “tourist attractions” near the places you live.
A friend graciously lent us a Ford Escape while he was out of town, and it became our home for a 5 day / 4 night adventure. With the back seats folded down, it is the perfect size for sleeping.
With a completely flexible schedule we skipped the weekend to avoid crowds. As we were cruising through light traffic out of town on Sunday morning, the Northbound highway was already busy with people returning from their weekend getaways.
For as long as humans have roamed the Earth, we have yearned for and found meaning in something greater than ourselves. It may be found in an almighty being, in nature, or in a community. Philosophers and religions have attempted to define and explain what it means to feel connected or enlightened, but perhaps artists have captured the ephemeral feelings the best, in their sculptures and paintings and music and dance.
Ironically, feeling connected is a deeply individual experience. No two people express themselves the same when viewing a great piece or art, being overwhelmed by the urge to move to a beat, or feeling at home in the embrace of another. Expressing our individuality brings us closer
In the modern world, in the real world, individuality is not often appreciated. An employer may expect you to dress “appropriately.” Decisions are often reached by consensus or by a single person with power. Art and music may follow the puppet strings of a corporation with deep pockets.
At Burning Man, the real world gets left behind. In the vacuum that exists when the real world get tossed aside, individuality happens. Connectedness happens. Magic happens. And it is a beautiful
