Wow, it's hard to find time to keep up with the internets when you're working six days a week, eight to twelve hours a day. I knew, esoterically, that it was what I was in for; interning on an organic farm, but it takes some redefining of priorities. Some days the web just takes a back seat to making dinner, or taking a hike in the Olympic National Park. After all, what's the point of working on the farm if you don't bother to take advantage of all the fantastic fresh produce, the end result of the long days of hard labor. I've really been enjoying my time here on the peninsula.

It's been a completely new experience for me. Small town life is so different from living in suburbia. I'm not sure if it's for me, but I'm definitely loving it, right now. After my internship is done, I'm going to make an attempt at city living for a while. Planning on heading south to Portland, and seeing if I can find a job at one of the bakeries in town. I have a preference for one in particular, but am more than willing to work in one of the others if it means the chance to check out the city, and learn about something else, I'm passionate about.

I really am surprised at how much I'm enjoying the farm work. These few short months have me convinced that I'll never go without growing at least some of my own food. I can't even imagine it, and to see the results, the changes that I've wrought in so short a period of time, is satisfying in it's own way/

I'm still writing everyday, and expounding about the things I feel are important, although the people I'm interacting with on a regular basis are all farm folk, and are predisposed to already believe in sustainability, ethical consumption, and what's really important in life; that doesn't change the fact that we all need reminders that the choices we make everyday are important.

I've been blogging my adventures on the farm at Is Aaron A Farmer?, and posting lots of pictures of the Park, which is just a magical fucking place. Seriously maddeningly beautiful. Pretty sure I won't be able to leave this place for long. Despite my desire to spend some time in a major metropolitan are, I want to be within a couple hours driving distance of this place, at most.

I'm not sure what the future holds, but really, who is? I think it's a healthier way to live, than to assume the same staid comfortable life you've been living will always be there for you. Better to take the scary path, to see what there is out there, and to learn to enjoy all of it, the great days, and the hard days, and even the crushingly stressful rainy twelve hour garlic weeding days...

Well, suicideKids, long time no see. I've been traveling, on a journey across the country, taking that once in a lifetime chance to completely change my life, do new and exciting things. I'm taking the scary path, fully aware that it's not always the right thing to do, but there can be no doubt that it's better than the alternative.

Phase one of my journey involved driving to DC to see my younger brother, the mixologist. Hanging out with J is always a good time, and DC is a really cool city, despite what some people say. They're so many things to see and do, I was there for four days, and saw two shows, ate a couple of great restaurant meals, and saw a few new exhibits at my favorite museums. I like the Hirshorn, some really cool stuff there, and the top floor of the National Portrait gallery always has a cool exhibit or two, in addition to the section of contemporary art, but my favorite museum is definitely the Freer. It's where they keep much of the Asian art, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face, just walking in the doors.

After I left DC I drove across the breadth of the nation in four pretty much solid days of driving. I spent the nights in my van, in a Walmart parking lot, and at a rest area with a parking lot full of truckers, but by the time I got to Utah, I was ready to sleep in a bed, and to take a proper shower, so I imposed on a friend of my step-mothers to allow me to crash with her in Vegas. It was a last minute decision, but a good one, that allowed me a brief respite to charge my batteries, and another good restaurant meal, before I drove on to La Jolla, in southern California to visit my Grandparents.

I had a nice time in So Cal. I went to the Opera with my grandparents, we saw La Traviata, which was actually really good, after the first act, which was a little slow, a little sleep-inducing; I especially enjoyed the dancing gypsies. We had many good meals, as is always the case when visiting Saba and Grandma Pooh. They did spend a fair amount of time trying to convince me that I'm crazy , and that this trip is a bad idea, which I should bail on, but I simply nodded, and listened, and promptly did what I was going to do, anyway. Love 'em dearly, but they don't know what's best for me, neither do I, but at least this way it's all my doing, one way or t'other.

I drove North from La Jolla, along the Pacific coast highway for a while, but then, for some insane reason, decided to drive across the interior the state rather than following the coast all the way. It was the stoplights I think. After days of highway driving stopping every three hundred yards started making me crazy pretty quickly. Next time I'll stick with the coast road. In case you've never though about it, the interior of California? Massively boring, Nebraska boring, and that's saying something.

I made it to Portland pretty quickly, and I actually sprang for a hotel room, so that I could stick around, and properly enjoy that city, since it was one of those places I've always wanted to go. It exceeded my expectations in every way, and I was only there for twenty hours. After my time on the farm is over I may well move there for six months or a year. It really made an impression on me. I went to Voodoo Donuts, and got the infamous maple bacon log, which was fucking delicious, and I went to Powell's, which was equally fucking delicious, although in a very different way. After a few hours of bookstore wandering I went to the Rogue brewery around the corner from the bookstore, and had a couple of really fine beers.

I also spent a significant portion of that night, half-drunkenly wandering around downtown, and most of the next morning doing the same thing. It was really quite beautiful. I can't wait to go back when I'll have some more time to spend there. It seemed like my kind of place. Wow, I've changed a lot over the last few years. The though that I might well just move to a strange city where I don't know anyone, just to see what it's like is so unlike me, or so unlike the old me, I guess. I like the new me.

Now I'm happily settled into a trailer, on a farm, just outside of Port Angeles, Washington, across the water from Victoria, BC. It's as unlike the place I left two weeks ago, as I am from the me of two years ago. This is the country, bounded on one side by the ocean, by Olympic national forest to my back, and on either side by good old-fashioned American small-townsTM. After DC and Portland it's a bit of an extra measure of culture shock, but I never really thought that this was the sort of place where my journey would end. This is merely one more stop along the way. Albeit a much longer than any of the stops I've taken so far.

I'll be here, interning on the farm for six months, until November, at which point I'll move on, and although I'm not sure what I'll be doing, I'm certain beyond doubt, that I'll find something. The uncertainty is exciting in and of itself. Farm life is every but as hard as you'd imagine. Actually it's harder than that, but it has certain satisfactions, and once we've got things running a little more smoothly it should become a very cool place to be. If you happen to be a huge food nerd at least. The only thing that has me a little disappointed is the spotty nature of my internet access, which we're working on, and the near total lack of an alt culture in these parts. So, SG members, if you live around here, and know where the punks, and indie rock kids are at, please let me know.

I'll try and keep you all posted about my journey, I'm keeping a blog, mostly to keep my family informed about the goings on, but if anyone cared they could read that one too. It has pictures, but given the lack of private internet access, and the conservative nature of my hosts, I'll have to keep my SG time to a minimum for the immediate future, but worry not, I'm working on alternatives. In the meantime remember, in the immortal words of xkcd's Randall Munroe.

Still no proper updates, and with my internet access spotty, and presumably about to get spottier, it isn't going to happen in the immediate future. I'm in Portland today, and loving life. My adventure might not compare with many of those that others have taken, but that's OK. For me, it's been a real stretch, and I'm outside my comfort zone, and doing all I can to enjoy everything each day brings.

Today, for example, I went to Voodoo Doughnuts, where Tony Bourdain and Chuck Pahlaniuk went in the Pac Nor, episode of No Reservations. I ate a maple bacon bar. It was every bit as delicious as you'd presume. I alsi went to Rogue Breweries, and drunkenly hit up Powell's books on the way back to my Hotel. All in all, given that I only had one night to spend here, I hit the major spots I wanted to.

So, for another night I'll go to bed content. I should reach the farm, my home for the next six months, tomorrow. It will be an interesting experience, and I'm excited to see what it will entail, and what the future holds for me.

No complaints; life is good, and remember: Take the scary path.

I've just realized how out of date all of my profile information is, not to mention the scandalously un-updated blog entries. Back to resolving to do better. Once a week. Swear to jeebus, but not quite yet.

Been applying for internships at organic farms up and down the left coast. We'll see if I find my world turned upside down in the next month or so.

Still writing everyday, but my output is slowing down, and due to the job search I've been letting it slide, but I really shouldn't so starting tomorrow, we're back to a daily goal, come hell or high-water.

We'll see if I can do a proper blog, and update all of my out-of-date profile shit later in the week. Hopefully I'll have some information on where I'll find myself a month from now.

Peace, love, other such basics of a worthwhile existence.

So this whole POD magazine thing is really taking me out of my comfort zone, and I've got a lot more work to do before the end of the month. I believe I can do it, but may well exhaust myself trying.

Have edited a story to the point of submitability I think, but am trying to get some feedback from people I know while I wait for the online 'zines to open up submissions again. Going to try and get one more story done this month.

The short story I'm writing took an unexpected turn yesterday, and I now have no idea where it's going. It's too damn cold for me to be taking my usual walks around the neighborhood, so I haven't yet had a chance to figure out what's going to happen. Just going with the flow, for now.

I'm trying to participate more regularly in some of the online communities I frequent, since I'm apparently never going to make a slew of friends in meat space. Which I'm not overly concerned about, since I plan on leaving town for an extended journey of discovery, learning, and awesome, come springtime.

Look at that, a blog post. I'll keep trying to keep up with this, and to be more regular about posting on the boards, and commenting on the member review sets. Especially that one, since some people's livelihood depends on that.

Life is good aside from some minor health issues, so I'm trying not to complain, and trying to reap as much enjoyment as I can from the things that happen to me. Enough rambling, I'll post more when I have more to say.

Guess, it didn't last all that long, in the end. It is twenty ten. This is the year of of makery. By the end of January I will have something POD available for purchase, come hell or high water. Will submit at least one story for publication this month, preferably more than that, and by the end of this month I will be published even if I have to do it myself.

On other subjects, I'm still baking a lot of bread.

Met and got an autograph from Neil Gaiman a few weeks ago. I presented him with cookies and a loaf of bread. Also distributed cookies to my fellow line standers. It seemed the neighborly thing to do. Plus I'll take any excuse to bake a dozen dozen cookies.

No more clever gimmicky sign offs. Same old promise. One update per week. Not that any of you care, but it will help me adapt to the deadline idea.

Enough. Enjoy the future people. You can be sure I will.

Here am I again. I'm actually managing this, though it seems I'm not saying anything much worth reading.

Have gotten a lot of good writing done this week. Thought I finished a short story earlier today, only to realize, whilst out on a motorcycle ride, that it wasn't done yet, and the new ending is actually pretty cool.

Haven't done a ton of cooking this week, but did make some sourdough t'other day, that came out pretty well. Made middle eastern food: lentils, rice, gingery spinach, crispy fried onion shreds, homemade pita, the other night. The family always enjoys that. Making a couple of composed pizzas for dinner tonight: roasted sweet potatoes, and roasted onion, with Rogue Creamery smoked bleu cheese, and tomato, goat cheddar with assorted olives. Should be tasty.

Saw a couple of shows this week. Totally disparate bands. Lots of fun.

On Thursday night I went and saw Asobi Seksu at the EARL. Show was great. Band was awesome. Lots of nice indie rock kids. Very affable crowd, nice venue. The opening band Sealions was good, and the guitarist gave me one of his drink tickets. Buying fans is a sure fire bet in my book.

On Saturday I went and saw Sunn O))) at some weird venue that had never had a show there before. That fact was very apparent to one and all. They seemed terrified of the metal heads, but I have never, and I do mean never, seen a more civilized audience at a show in my life. The band was incredible, and their opening act Eagle Twin was pretty good. Not really my kind of music, but entertaining nonetheless, and certainly talented. The drummer was awesome. Sunn O))) completely blew me away. It was an experience unlike anything I've ever had. I have pages and pages of notes I took before and during the show, and I may well have to write an article about it even if no one will ever read it.

I think that about taps me out for the week.

Shuffle up and deal?

Here I am again. What has happened this week? A whole lot of nothing. I'm almost done with the short story I'm writing. Should be able to finish it up today, tomorrow at the latest.

Friday was New Years for Jews. We celebrated by eating a bunch of traditional foods, and avoiding all mention of religion. It was nice. I baked a massive braided round Challah.

Pre-bake:


Fresh from the oven:


Aren't you all jealous? You should be, it was fucking delicious.

We'll see you in a week, all things being equal.

Same bat time, same bat channel.

Wow. It's funny how no matter how good the intention is I never manage to update this blog as often as I'd like. New goal. Once a week. I know it's fucking unlikely, but I'll try anyway.

So what's up with me? Finished one of the writing projects I've been working on since February. It's a nine hundred page long weekly webcomic. It has major edits that need doing, and I find it hard to believe that I'll be able to find someone to draw it until after I'm more well known, i.e. known at all, but I think it'll go over well once it eventually has the chance to see the light of day.

Saw district nine the other day. Really enjoyed it. Saw Ponyo last night. It was good. Definitely aimed at a much younger audience, but still as gorgeous to look at as Miyazaki's films always are.

Bought tickets to see a bunch of bands in the next couple of months to reward myself for finishing the comic. It's been too long since I've gone and seen any shows. I'm working on a different comic script, and writing a couple of short stories to stay busy until Nanowrimo starts up again in November.

There. A blog. Hope y'all liked it.

Good night, and good luck.

Everyone who is not an atavistic luddite or crazy religious nutbag should go here(National Institue of Health) and inform our lovely, cantankerous, ignorant government that we support curing cancer, and fighting Parkinson's, and finding ways to extend human life. This is what i wrote. it's a little silly, and far from elegant, but I think it makes my point.

I not only support the use of embryonic stem cells for research, but consider myself a lover of the twenty-first century, and a true forward thinker. Any attempts to impede progress through deluded and misguided clinging to an eighteenth century belief structure should be tolerated, but ignored. These are the best times in the history of mankind regardless of what the conservatives would have you believe, and to deny the wonder and possibilities of the future from an outmoded point of view are absurd. I don't deny them their right to express an opinion; I'm merely incredulous that "Boy weren't the 50's great" is still considered a valid opinion. The future is scary. Always has been, and certainly always will be, but to deny it is the same as covering your eyes and ears and hoping that the boogeyman will go away. We must use the technology at our disposal to take advantage of the fact that we live in a time where science progresses with leaps and bounds, and it should not be stifled. It should be encouraged, and embraced; because it is our future. It is the chance for humanity to live on. It is the opportunities that will allow us longer, better, happier lives. I support the use of embryonic stem cells in research, and while I don't want to sound as if I'm writing a polemic here; I really think that embracing the changes that we face each and everyday is what sets mankind apart from our chimpanzee ancestors.

Thank you.

Good luck and god bless.