Where am I now? Thoughts on effect of the gathering

Cedar Creek Camp, Los Padres National Forest by Pete Davis

I'm ready to write a bit about the effect of the gathering on me.

• It was disruptive because Mike--who was dynamic, energizing, helpful, knowledgable--has some very cool and adventurous plans and dreams, and he's actually doing them. And Taylor too. Both of their plans involve traveling away--so this gets me thinking about: (1) At the least getting up to LA before they leave, (2) having more adventurous adventures myself. In short--I was letting myself be distracted, not caring for my garden, and not sure what to do next.

• I got that response from Warren, and I replied.
  

• As mentioned there, I got to meditating on what was keeping me from staying in the forest.

• The gathering showed me that on some level I can be a leader (doesn't seem like the right word -- a channeler?/guider of energy? -- ) And value doing it. (Previously, my thinking has gone: I can practice some guiding skills--but why would I want to? My previous experiences guiding have not been all that rewarding. Check it out:)

• In meditating on "What Next?" -- and after perusing what some of the wonderful people near Portland are doing--and reading "Fight Club", I was reminded "It's up to me." If I wanted to I could organize events in SD like they have in Portland. We can go down to the SD River and make nets and so on.

• I was reminded why I don't do this. I really don't like moving around this urban environment.

• So: The next organizing I'll do will be in the forest.

Briefly, that is my plan. Instead of going all primitive, I've been looking at what kind of connection (of the Internet variety, probably) I could take with me into the forest. I collect some of my research at del.icio under the technomad tag.

I'm thinking of being in the forest (Los Padres National Forest) from May to September--and just following that intention where it leads (the longest I've lasted in the forest solo has been about 2 weeks--I'll be coming out that often to resupply at least).

I'm considering how to make myself contactable so that people can join me out there. I may eventually post a note at the online Communities Directory--continuing to develop the walking sangha idea.

Does anyone else want to share where they've got to in the last two weeks?

Peace,
Colin

Re: [Scpg] SoCal Indigenous Living

[this is a response to *Origin Skills* and their relationship to permaculture and nomadism]

Warren,
Thank you for taking the time to respond--you address/help further the dialog about many concerns I had, some of which I only hinted at.
I'm still working on meditating on the next step. It may be a synthesis of living in LPNF and maintaining some sort of connection with the world via a portable internet connection--so there could be a nomadic, simple living + multimedia-communicating, origin skills-focused community in the forest that others can come visit and briefly travel with or just learn about and follow via the Internet.

I've been meditating on why I return here (4602 seminole)--and asking why I could not have that too in the forest. Freedom is one (in a sense, I don't need permission to be in this house)--connectivity with the Internet, another. Food is another (but more minor reason, perhaps)--(seeing this image reminded me of that--[linked to from here]).

Looking into the Portland-area origin skills efforts has been inspiring--it suggests there is a huge amount of room for a whole ecosystem of related experiments down here.
peace,
Colin

Also, I copied your post to http://sdprim.blogspot.com/ & http://groups.google.com/group/scil/
because I think it furthers the questioning that many people (the Portland people too) are doing--or would be doing if they were encouraged to.

I got to playing with the name 'origin skills' and wondered what 'destination skills' might be--& also noting the motive energy / spirit manifesting with the Internet & how to integrate all of these.

*Origin Skills* and their relationship to permaculture and nomadism

I moved this post to the main site!

What would you like to have happen on 3/22-23?

Respond here in a comment if you like--

Also: Say what things you might like to share at the gathering. I could lead an amateur edible plant walk, for example.

Also think up things you don't know much about but want to learn or discuss (a sharing of interest and motivation): "I'd like to make pots from clay we dig and then bake in the fire" (for example).

Rideshare Board + other needs for 3/22-23

Comment here if you still need a ride to the 3/22-23 gathering.
If you're offering a ride, you can also post here.
If you still need other things (warm blankets?), post here too.

Help plan north county primitive skills gathering for March 22-23!

We're looking for help organizing a gathering in Rainbow, CA (about 8 mi. east of Fallbrook, I think) where we will build a willow structure, eat wild plants, make our own cordage, camp!, and do other good things.

We'll do this March 22-23.

We'd like those who want to help organize this (publicity, logistics, what else?) to contact Christine, who is the caretaker of the 9-acre site where we'll meet, at 760-445-8523, or Colin at colinleath at gmail or 619 582 7583.

There are streams there, avacado trees (some of the fruit is sold at People's), and a massive old oak tree growing out of a boulder. It is a steep site--participants will need to hike a bit. There will be moms with young kids participating too.

We'd like to make our work on this gathering contribute to the longer-term progressivization of SD--How best to do that? Maybe you can help us figure that out.

I'm excited about this--I couldn't help but start yet another website: San Diego Primitive Skills, and a corresponding bulletin board where anyone can post.

Peace,
Colin


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