Simply

I like clouds. I normally hate the window seat on airplanes. I prefer the aisle seat where I can stretch my legs and be free of the claustrophobia of being stuck between a curved plastic wall and (at least) two other people. But sometimes these things can’t be helped. On a recent trip I had to sit in the window seat leaving and returning to Seattle.

The departing flight was in the morning and the returning one was in the evening. Both times I looked out the window to see a vast infinite expanse of white and blue. In many ways it reminded me of the ocean and its vast endless spread. But here, 10,000 feet above earth, there were clouds. A landscape of white forms and textures that looked hard and soft, smooth and rough, big and small, calm and wild, all at the same time. As the flight went on, the shapes of the clouds would change, sometimes becoming thin whipsy strips. Sometimes looking like huge piles of gum balls coalescing into a single huge entity. But throughout it all they never revealed the land beneath them. This veil of white created a sanctuary that was peaceful and beautiful. From behind my tiny 8×12 inch glass portal to this world I felt something I hadn’t in a long time. My heart began to ache. As I looked out over the still white clouds, once with the sun rising and once with the sun setting, it was as though every happy and sad thing that I had ever experienced in my life began to play out in flashes randomly across my memory. I thought about who I was then, and who I am now, and everything in between. Supposedly “your life flashes before your eyes” just before you die. This wasn’t that. This was more like every emotional and personal shield I’d erected either in my personality or through material possessions suddenly fell away, revealing a view of myself that even I hadn’t seen in a while.

I think I need to sit in the window seat more often.

This is a good example of the world I was in:

CLOUDS from Dylan Wiehahn on Vimeo.

I was setting up (another) phone the other day and while waiting for a myriad of superfluous things to complete, began to scroll through my contacts list. I don’t know what it was about this time or day or night or whenever the moment really was; but as I flicked my chubby finger up and down on that tiny screen the names started to move in slow motion, and in my mind I was reading every one of them as they flew by. With each name came a memory. Not just of a face, but a true moment. One in which myself and the person had shared. Whether good, bad, or ugly, each name brought with it a memory, usually more than one.

I hit the bottom of the list. I went back to the top and started slowly scrolling through each name. Reading each one. And I remembered.  I remembered that time we shared that awesome meal. That time we laughed so hard it hurt. That time we got wasted out of our minds and said we’d never drink again. That time we had a heated, yelling debate but both knew we weren’t really mad at each other. That time we really did hate each other. That time we shared a silent knowing look. That time you helped me. That time I helped you. That time when that thing, with the, that only you and I know about, and will never tell anyone. That time we sat quietly in each other’s presence with no words, knowing that for whatever reason and through whatever way, we were brought to this moment and were both so grateful to know the other and have shared some tiny piece of time with another. These moments all accrue in my mind and when I hit the bottom of that list again I realize that during this short insignificant stint of time known as my life, I have been so fortunate to meet, know, love, hate, laugh, cry, and be with so many amazing people.

It reminds me of a dream I used to have all the time; I’m in a gigantic room, throwing a party for everyone I’ve ever met, from acquaintances, to co-workers, to the people I met in Japan that one year, to my best friends in the world.  Everyone’s there. Doing what they do, being who they are. I look around and think to myself how incredible it is to be surrounded by everyone. How thankful I am to know them. I hold up a glass to make a toast but no one’s paying attention, just the way I’d like it, and I open my mouth to say — I wake up and stare silently at the dark ceiling. I’m going to throw this party before I die. My eyes close and I finish the toast, “Dearest Friends, this one’s for you”.

This is a test post from WordPress on my Nexus One. Oh and a picture of Afrodog!!!

Alice and I decided to make our own Christmas cards this year. Using a slew of paper, glue, rubber stamps, ink, and exacto knives we’ve been cranking away on these every weekend. Although it sounds and might look like a lot of work, they’re actually very fun to make and a relaxing change from the everyday grind of work and digital distractions. We both love arts+crafts, so it’s also a really nice way to spend time together. Below are a few samples, but you can see the whole gallery of cards we’ve made (so far) and the workspace in my room. :D

Click here for the whole set of photos on Flickr

This past weekend Alice and I bought supplies for making our own holiday cards and made pumpkin-chocolate-chip cookies. Now normally I’m not Mr. Over the Top Holiday Spirit, but for some reason this year I’m definitely more into it than most. Making our own holiday cards is a very welcome art outlet for me that I haven’t had in a while. I always talk about wishing I could do more personal projects but never really get around to starting them. Creating these cards is not only a great way to do that, but also functional in that I won’t have to actually buy any cards this year! I’m still toying around with a bunch of different ideas in my head, but it’s definitely a lot harder to create these cards than it seems. Alice and I also picked up a bunch of rubber stamps from Michael’s and Impress that I am looking forward to using. I’ll try to post up all of the end-result cards before actually sending them out to other people. I know cheer can sometimes be a drag around this time, especially with the plethora of commercial and material vehicles that it arrives in, but honestly I can’t help but get excited just a little early (Halloween was just 7 days ago). Happy Holidays…this is just the beginning. :]

View the full set on Flickr here
View the full set with people tags on Facebook here

FINNNALLLY got around to scanning and uploading all of the photos I’ve taken with the INSTAXMini7 camera that Alice gave me over the past year. I love love love this camera.

I love this commercial. Everytime I see it it gives me a warm feeling inside. I miss being a kid.

Saw this while walking through NYC with Alice after dinner tonight. Can anyone confirm or denounce whether this is a Banksy?