S.O.F.T EXPOSURE

Recent food makings

2009-09-08T07:10:00.002+12:00

Jet-setting as always

2009-09-08T06:58:00.004+12:00

preparing for take off

2009-09-08T06:55:00.002+12:00

Alpha Bravo Charlie

2009-09-08T06:48:00.002+12:00

Hazy Manhattan Skyline

2009-09-08T06:45:00.001+12:00

Reflections

2009-09-08T06:39:00.003+12:00

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Farm market

2009-09-08T06:35:00.003+12:00

Runaway mailboxes family burlesque and stuff

2009-09-08T06:30:00.001+12:00

Superfine Sailing Excursion

2009-09-08T06:22:00.002+12:00

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me and mum's feet, can you tell who is who? fresh food, summer abundance

2009-08-21T03:08:00.002+12:00

my neighborhood

2009-08-21T02:41:00.001+12:00

Day 1 US Soil- Jonah welcomes me to LA

2009-06-23T04:40:00.001+12:00

Auckland - Opine on Sustainability, Consciousness, & Buddhism

2009-06-23T04:34:00.003+12:00

Light mind Light Print
I have been in AKl the last 10 days, spending time with Ella, a dear friend, wise, kind and loving Buddhist eco warrior, and with myself and my experiences of the past 3 months.

I have been running each day, meditating, studying teachings of Lord Buddha and thinking about sustainability.

As this trip was an exploration of such it is suffice to say that as in much of the world many people in NZ are very much doing their part to at the least, lighten their footprint on the planet if not live according to a great and high standard of sustainability. Of course, there are many who give it all not a thought.

The environments I have been immersed in have been varied, with some places/people making a concerted effort to do certain 'acts of sustainability' - composting, vegan ism, not buying packaged products, even growing the majority of their food, collecting rain water etc. Then, there are people whose entire way of life is centered around sustainability and it is not even a thought or effort, it is encompassed in every action, interaction, and intention, from the garden to the kitchen to the toilet to the bedroom. This is in one aspect, Permaculture.

What I have concluded at this very moment is that although actions are important as well as key to helping the planet, they are not enough.

What is even more serious that we pay heed to, is our minds. Particularly our mind of desire. For Buddha, the "mind" refers to 'the entire spectrum of our inner experiences: thoughts, feelings, tendencies, personality traits, perceptions, intuitions, and dreams'.

Is it good for the planet to cut down on or cut out getting take out food stuff? Yes. Does it help heal the planet when we consciously conserve energy and resources? Of course. Could it potentially have a more lasting effect to pay attention to what it is in our mind that tells us we need it in the first place? I think so. To inquire into the part of mind that tells us we are too busy, too overworked and overtired to cook and take care of our self, or that it is just easier to get take-away.

It is just a thought really, but something I have felt strongly about over the course of this last week - that although our actions in the world can be highly un-sustainable, I believe that it is our consciousness and our mind states that are even more un-sustainable.

Until we truly deal with our minds (the entirety of our inner selves)- with our attachments, our over-inflated sense of desire, our self obsession, our unconscious eating/drinking/talking/screwing-we cannot remotely deal with the state of this planet in a way that will create permanent change for the good.

For clarity, I am not saying that our positive actions are meaningless, obviously they are not, but I do feel that it is our responsibility to attend to our personal awareness.

And so, I leave it at that, for now, and with a wish being sent that we all can make use of our unlimited potential for consciousness, for love, for compassion, and for service.
Light Mind Light print

Last of my money

2009-06-17T13:54:00.001+12:00

Last day

2009-06-17T13:49:00.003+12:00

Bright amazing hilarious and loving Gen came down from Kerikeri and drove Belinda to Mt. Albert to see me the day I left. I am so blessed to have spent the day with you Gen to receive your light and love before my departure. Thank you!
and to boot she gave me the cassette tape of Boney M we have been listening to for 2 weeks!!
see this link if interested in becoming a fan :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvDMlk3kSYg

Auckland with Ella and Wynne

2009-06-17T13:43:00.003+12:00

Mt. Albert, Auckland was my last stop. I stayed with the lovely sisters Ella and Wynne where each day I was inspired by sisterly love, teaching myself to cook Indian food, running up Mt. Albert each day to look at the panorama of Auckland environs, and Ella's Thangka paintings and Buddhist teachings.

Waipara Forest stop for snacks and 3 sisters

2009-06-17T13:36:00.001+12:00

Tane Mahuta

2009-06-17T13:10:00.002+12:00

Tane Mahuta is in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, New Zealand. Its age is unknown but is estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old. Its Māori name means "Lord of the Forest", from the name of a god in the Māori pantheon. We also saw the three sisters and hundreds of other amazing Kauri trees throughout the incredible forest of which contains three quarters of New Zealand's remaining Kauri trees.

Rawene- rainbows and my cabin necessities

2009-06-17T12:53:00.003+12:00

Funny thing I noticed here is that everyone has an electric kettle and most houses are equipped with instant coffee and black tea. So, for nostalgia sake

The road from the back of the camper

2009-06-17T12:41:00.001+12:00

The trip from Ahipara back to the beginning

2009-06-17T12:36:00.003+12:00

So I made my way to the far north and now back down again to where I began in Kohukohu and Rawene. By Grace, I found a ride with Gail and Graham and joined them on the road to return to the first town I stayed in and worked at the Permaculture Garden. I suppose it is a time of nostalgia and a time for quiet before I return soon to New York.

Kauri Trees carbon printed at being aprx 49,000 yrs old

2009-06-08T15:01:00.003+12:00

Agathis australis

Which way home?

2009-06-08T14:53:00.002+12:00

Cape Rienga

2009-06-08T14:40:00.000+12:00

Catch My Spirit

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The Meeting/Leaping place

2009-06-08T13:41:00.003+12:00

The Aupori Penninsula known to the Maori as Te Hika o te Ika (The tail of the fish), recalling the legend of Maui hauling up the North Island while in his canoe (the South Island) is the path to reach the very tip as well as a spiritual path to journey before releasing one's spirit into the Otherworlds. The most northerly point (Cape Rienga) is believed to be the "place of leaping", where spirits of the dead depart. They begin their journey by sliding down the roots of an 800 yr old pohutukawa into the ocean, they climb out again on Ohaua, the highest of the Three Kings Islands, to bid a final farewell before returning to their ancestors.

This is where I sit, at the place of leaping. Sending prayers to my loved ones and thanks to Aotearoa (NZ) for all the gifts I have received on this adventure.

almost there

2009-06-08T13:36:00.000+12:00

sandboard location

2009-06-08T13:27:00.002+12:00

The person on camera duty didn't get a shot so you will have to use your imagination to see me plummeting down the dunes and getting a mouth full of sand.

Te Paki

2009-06-08T13:08:00.003+12:00

Heading off the beach after driving for an hour and a half we pull into the famous Te Paki sand dunes where we will embark on some sand boarding!!

90 mile beach (actually about 50 km beach)

2009-06-08T12:59:00.002+12:00

one stop on 90 Mile beach

2009-06-08T12:42:00.003+12:00

Gail and Graham were my companions on the journey up 90 mile beach to Cape Rienga.

Sunrise and Sunset

2009-06-08T12:30:00.001+12:00

my little place by the beach

2009-06-08T12:23:00.003+12:00

Here at the hostel there were few people. I made fast friends with Vincent (Spain)and Antia (Germany) who both were also preparing to soon leave the country. So we all commiserated by the fire and reminisced with wine about our time in NZ. Vincent also showed me the trampoline and we had many flip crash laughs! This was much needed as to be honest my morale has been low with my immanent departure and so much change happening in my life while away...

Pulling in

2009-06-08T12:10:00.003+12:00

From the bus window heading into Ahipara you can see wayyyy out to the very tip of the North Island- Cape Rienga.

You have no idea what a relief it is to have sunshine and warmth after so many days of wind and rain and dreary crap weather. I never want to winter again.

Bustop

2009-06-08T11:58:00.002+12:00

While I was waiting at this bustop/library/school for my transport from Kaitaia to Ahipara I sat with the war memorial for awhile than moved over there to the bench.

After some time an old Maori woman came by and sat next to me. She had a good long conversation mostly with herself though I think she was glad of the ears next to her. A car sped by an I followed its tail with my gaze just in time to notice the lic. plate- CRY1143- I thought, yes, I need a cry.... we all need a good cry. I looked over at the woman and tears were streaming down her face. So I did the only thing I know how to do in this kind of moment. I moved my pack and my groceries and I squeezed next to her and I put my arm gently around her while she cried and cried. Then I cried too. For everything and for nothing particularly. Then my bus came and I kissed her shoulder and held her tight and said peace and farewell. And that is the story of the bustop cry. :)

layover in Kaitaia

2009-06-08T11:46:00.002+12:00

Kerikeri to Ahipara

2009-06-08T11:36:00.003+12:00

The beginning of the last little trip I take for me. Some time for reflection and preparation. I will go from Kerikeri to Ahipara, a lovely and quiet little beach/surf community at the base of the 90 mile beach. I will travel 90 mile beach (a spriritual pathway) to Cape Rienga (the leaping place of the spirits) to give my thanks and goodbye to Aotearoa (NZ).

Gen & I play last hand of Cooncan before I jump on bus

2009-06-08T10:59:00.002+12:00

Clints house Kerikeri, Northland (end of May)

2009-06-05T14:49:00.003+12:00

Orchard Work

2009-06-05T14:33:00.002+12:00

Kiwifruit Orchard

2009-06-05T14:22:00.004+12:00

This is behind Clints house in Kerikeri where I stayed with Gen for a week.

We did some kiwifruit pickin (very little for me bc it was about the worst paid job I have ever had, including my first job in 1990!) Played a bit of cards(my fav game is coon can and Gen cheats like crazy;)), cooked yummy food together and praised having sun again after weeks of cold and .

windswept caravans.

Cya Taupo-back to the sunny north

2009-06-05T13:49:00.006+12:00

After a wonderful safari! to Taupo, we all made our way north again (to mangakaramea and kerikeri) to seek sunshine, new wwoof/job spots, and for a few of us, to go back to the beginning and say our goodbuys/give thanks to the places we began our NZ journeys.

Yeah! big catches :)

2009-06-05T13:34:00.002+12:00

Post TE grocery store fatigue!

2009-06-05T13:28:00.001+12:00

Looking down onto Waikato River

2009-06-05T13:06:00.002+12:00

no, I didn't jump :(

Day 2 - Early am trout run (w/Rania & Colin)

2009-06-05T12:54:00.003+12:00

Waikato Sunrise

2009-06-05T12:42:00.003+12:00

...

2009-06-05T12:18:00.003+12:00

Good morn but no catch..

2009-06-05T12:08:00.002+12:00

Will the Waikato pro gave us tips and lessons

2009-06-05T11:44:00.002+12:00

Waikato fishin'

2009-06-05T11:19:00.002+12:00

Colin has no idea what he is in for

2009-06-05T11:07:00.001+12:00

Colin fights a big one well into the night

2009-06-05T10:55:00.002+12:00

...sadly, the line breaks:(

Taupo-Off for TE's (thermal and trout experiences)

2009-06-05T10:46:00.002+12:00

Breakfast before departure

2009-06-04T16:11:00.002+12:00

This is when I think we first heard of a TE ( a trout experience, which is rather essential to have while in NZ) so, soon we were off for Taupo to enjoy 2 TE's ( a trout and a thermal exp.)....as you will soon see. These also classify under NE's per Gen (new experiences), more to come on that (Holy chicken chips, Boney M, and meat pies!)
THANK YOU JEREMY!

And swedes (aka rutabaga)

2009-06-04T15:57:00.002+12:00

Jeremy is also a sprout farmer!

2009-06-04T15:40:00.002+12:00

and fennel and...

2009-06-04T15:29:00.002+12:00

Field of Kale and Cauli and ....

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The House

2009-06-04T14:48:00.002+12:00

Evening libations

2009-06-04T14:23:00.003+12:00

Belinda being looked after

2009-06-04T14:15:00.001+12:00

Belinda Breaks Down

2009-06-04T13:30:00.003+12:00

The adventures of Rania, Colin, Gen and Leah begin.

a few k's after leaving the wairarapa pot luck belinda had a turn for the worst, needed some tlc, a night off, some whiskey and so it goes.

As luck would have it Jeremy found and rescued us, brought us back to his beautiful house and org. veg farm where we were able to fix the car, share a wonderful 24 hours, delicious food, r&r and harvest a bit.

Wairarapa Org. Farmer Pot Luck vids

2009-06-04T12:55:00.007+12:00

mas fern and wood magic

2009-06-04T12:02:00.001+12:00

bread baking, hiking, truckin etc

2009-06-04T11:54:00.001+12:00

wood

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Looking up , then down the river to Wellie

2009-05-28T09:47:00.002+12:00

More Upper Hutt

2009-05-28T08:51:00.001+12:00

Reflections

2009-05-26T18:32:00.003+12:00

2009-05-26T15:47:00.001+12:00

Akatarawa and a first glimpse of trash among the ferns

2009-05-26T14:13:00.001+12:00

Akatarawa Forest

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Upper Hutt Tramping with Kaori

2009-05-26T13:51:00.003+12:00

Kaori and I had such fun tramping the trails around the blueberry farm. we did some trail running, picnicking and peaceful meandering thru most beautiful forests and hills and all along the way we practiced our English of which I learned more than I probably imparted on her! Thank you Kaori!

BlubieFarm cafe (Upper Hutt Wellington)

2009-05-26T13:43:00.003+12:00

Full moon farm

2009-05-26T13:39:00.002+12:00

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Link to Mani Lynn's Photography and a new picture!

2009-05-26T13:32:00.000+12:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandi_lynn/3557825153/

Blueberry Farm Signage

2009-05-26T13:20:00.003+12:00

Blueberry face on the bluebie farm, plus my abode, the chooks and the pickin field

2009-05-26T13:12:00.002+12:00

Tramping Wellington

2009-05-26T12:57:00.003+12:00

that is the south island in the distance above!

Hills above Wellington

2009-05-26T12:34:00.003+12:00

Quote for the day

2009-05-16T14:46:00.001+12:00

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
— Chris McCandless

The Final Countdown

2009-05-12T15:17:00.003+12:00

Well, so far this trip has been....stupendous, remarkable, magickal, a jaw droppingly visionary time of personal growth and reflection, going much to fast, a feast for my mind, my heart, and my belly. I have done well to balance taking adventures and traveling aimlessly (sort of) with settling in to various routines and exploring the life of farming, seed saving, permaculture gardening, and all around earth mother worshiping.
I am still in Wellington (it has been almost a few weeks) and am enjoying it immensely what with the hills to hike in by day and the cosmo city to play in at night, it is actually not so easy to leave. Plus, I really like the groove here at the Blueberry Farm-my little caravan next to a river, meditative work, a lovely host who reveled with me at the Puppetry of the Penis show this weekend. Yes folks, it was just what it sounds like. And, I rather fancy getting good at driving on the "wrong" side of the road, it makes my brain feel funny...like I'm using it...:)
HOWEver, I have decided that I will head north again for the last part of my trip. Both the weather and my mind have changed and I shall go where the sun is longest in the sky, and will likely return next year to enjoy the South Island!
I still need to catch Dave and me a fish so I am headed to Taupo for some of that and hot pooling by the lake. Then, off for some possible kiwi fruit picking and onto an eco tourism project before the grand finale week of leisure. ....But I am actually not planning as much as it sounds. I guess you and I both will see what happens.
Til' then, Ka pai

A few SOFTE suggestions for Easy Sustainable Living

2009-05-04T17:15:00.009+12:00

I would like to begin sharing some of the things I have learned or remembered that we can do to contribute to the health of the planet by creating; less WASTE, more CREATIVITY, deeper CONNECTION to the earth and her beings (animal, plant and otherwise), and a sense of RESPONSIBILITY that is enjoyable.

1) bake bread at home- if you don't like to bake, buy a bread maker!! you will save one more thingy from landing in the garbage AND you can make just what you like.

2) compost! buy a nice little self contained one for your luxuriously small city apt that will do all the work for you, or bring to your community garden, or, make a worm farm...or get creative.

http://www.ccc.govt.nz/waste/whatcanidoathome/composting/makeyourownwormfarm.pdf
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/Council/services/garden/worms.asp

3) buy in bulk so you can save money but also conserve resources that are used for ridiculous (and unnecessary) amounts of packaging . This can include herbs and spices, grains, legumes, nuts, dried fruits etc..some co-ops even have bulk soap and body care products. Plus, all those bins and jars are sooooo lovely to gaze upon.

4) do you really NEED all those 'products'? Can you cut out even 1-3 of them? can you make your own?! (you can always get in touch with me if you need lotion/salve/medicinal tincture/tea/lip balm/soap/shampoo recipes

5) look at how much trash goes out in a week and see if you can half it! Yes, it is a challenge. I dare you.

Since I have been here I think I have seen a total of one 30 gal size trash bag be put out. This is at roughtly 10 places I have stayed including hostels (which also compost here- yay YHA!) That is ONE 30 gal bag at 10 places COMBINED!

6) join or build a garden so you can grow some of your own food - which is very rewarding- as well as contribute to the oxygen levels in the atmosphere :)

7) stop running water when it's not necessary. like when brushing teeth, doing dishes etc...Also if you have a roof, porch, deck, yard...you can save rain water - just put a bucket out-and use it for watering plants, heat to wash dishes or give your baby a sink bath!

The farmer/Phd student/professor/permaculture workshop leader that I learned from in Hamilton instilled in me (the leisurologist who thought she knew everything) the concept of lazy farming- particularly when it comes to Permaculture.

Much of what happens in Permaculture is observing. As we look at what nature is doing and work to create our needs in congruence with her-we can garden according to natures plan.
Preserving, conserving, and allowing her to balance things as she does, we find ourselves having to do very little to grow the things that nourish us.

Lazy farming technique number 1: (if you have a garden)
Throw down all your cut grass, (for mulch) , on top of wet newspaper, in the areas you think you need to weed. Now you don't need to weed :)

I will further expound on lazy farming techniques at a later date.

Church market at St Paul's-selling worms and seeds

2009-05-02T19:28:00.002+12:00

it is also national J day

2009-05-02T19:23:00.005+12:00

about town in Welly

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perfs

2009-05-02T19:14:00.003+12:00

this 7 yr old brusker was an amazing little prodigal ukelele player/songwriter. I sat with his parents for awhile we watched him jam and rake in the cash for his new guitar.

Burgers and blurry baristas on Cuba St

2009-05-02T19:10:00.001+12:00

Seaside wellington

2009-05-02T19:06:00.001+12:00

Where the worms live (next to the wood)

2009-05-02T19:01:00.002+12:00

Worm Farms Sold Here-they are vegan, and due to popular belief that worms dislike such things, they also Do eat citrus and alliums as well as packaging made from corn starch

2009-05-02T18:57:00.002+12:00

This is where it all happens...Ngaio

2009-05-02T18:53:00.002+12:00

Planting, growing, harvesting, drying and packing organic seeds to be dispursed over NZ.

2009-05-02T18:50:00.001+12:00