All I Ever Wanted Is All I've Ever Needed

This has been a mantra in my life for many years now. I don't know how many. Maybe twenty? Seems that this saying would have come to me around the time I decided that minimalism was a lifestyle I wanted to pursue and adopt.

I truly believe that lifestyle follows thought-style; for instance if someone is thinking wealth, fame, security, etc. these are the things will come their way. If they are thinking love, life, obscurity, simplicity, those will come their way.

Since 1996 - (and you will discover that 1996 was a pivotal year in my life) - I've been pursuing simplicity, freedom (especially freedom from stuff from matter and to a certain extent, responsibility), and a kind of invisibility from the crowd. It's taken me on a journey that has changed my perspective and focused my goals.Words... at least my words... don't seem adequate to convey the feeling. Should we speak, I will talk a lot on this subject; give examples and repeat myself "in other words" because I feel at a loss to adequately explain myself, particularly to people who are pursuing other qualities.

I still have a lot of stuff as far as I'm concerned. I'm trying to force myself to get rid of it. I want the items I discard to do somebody some good, instead of just throwing them in the trash.

1 August 2016, YMCA Eval... New eating again...

One of the possessions I feel that I need is a strong, flexible, agile, powerful and aesthetically pleasing (at least, to me) body. You have no doubt noticed (or soon will) the number of evaluation pix I've posted here. Physical conditioning is another part of the journey that began in 1996. I figured my renovation would encompass three elements; physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual. The physical was easy for me. All I had to do - or so I thought - was get back into the gym and do what I did when I was in the military, but it wasn't enough. It wasn't as simple as lifting heavy weights... it took me about five years to figure that out. Seems like just a small amount of time from this perspective.

If I met my fifteen years ago self on the street I might not recognize him, until we talked about how much he loved his children. In the important areas, I'm not that different. Devotion to those I love, and loyalty are still there and have been constant. I'd probably recognize the sense of humour, but admonish 15 years ago self (Y2KC) that he should be less cynical.... even though he wouldn't listen. Today-self would understand the defensive nature of the cynic and let Y2KC find his own path away from it.

As we get stronger we don't need such weapons as cynicism - although I still think they are good to keep in the arsenal, Future KC might disagree.

I got to hang out with friends on a Friday 22 July 2016

Every year I choose a "Friend of the Year" - that's someone I meet and expect to still be friends with five years later. Lorelei and I met on a beach-day trip in 2009 and ever since then I've been following the ups and downs and changes in her life. We're a lot a like, I think, although it doesn't show on the surface. On this particular night she was premiering the third issue of her photo magazine, "You and I Together Forever," at Tattoo Mom's on South St.

I published my own magazine back in the day and essentially did the same as she's doing now. So there's the respect and just the support towards someone I met randomly (but was always meant to be friends with) and have that vibe with.

DJ Foxx (Langston) is a Piscean brother, I met about a decade ago (already) - and the same applies. I have come to expect Pisces to be multi-dimensional artists and Foxx does not disappoint. From local gigs to DJ'ing at concerts and festivals around the world. It seems like just a blink of the eye - but he's still doing his thing and going for it. Always good to hang out with the good energy set.

Wild (hood) Life 27 August 2016

I was coming home from shopping at my first Farmer's Market last week and I saw this deer grazing in Cobbs Creek Park. For several years now the deer have been making a comeback to our area, which is fascinating to me, because I never saw any around the way, while growing up. So, I just had to take a few pix. I was about 100 yards away, no tripod... but I have a decent camera with a strong digital zoom, and a fairly steady hand. It's not an award winner, just a reminder of the wild life in the area.

And that's the update. What I've been up to the last week or so... choppy as this seems. I guess I'll be doing some chillin' today. If I can get myself together I'll get out to the gym. It's an exercise day. Most likely body-weight training, but there have been days that I've mixed the arts.. ha ha.

Cheers.