34.2º N, 118.4º W

"I'm quitting my job to travel and go farming to learn how to be off the grid and sustainable." My mom didn't like hearing that one. It must be done though, because it is my destiny. I know it. Each day I continue working in advertising, I can feel my soul chain smoking greed and pressure through a tailpipe of exploitation and crushing dedication.

And full sustainability is entirely possible. The book I'm holding is the catalog of WWOOF farms in the United States that I can work on. At least 1000 farms across these U-nited states are able to sustain themselves, and I think I can do better. That book will be my bible.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

If I don't get fired (though, hopefully to collect unemployment) my last day of work will be a May 28th. I'll be backpacking for a few weeks in some national parks, getting things in order, finishing up projects, selling or getting rid of furniture, and beginning my journey. My journey of experience and knowledge. Because if I don't do it, it won't get done.

Atom Farm continues to grow, and the more I collaborate with people, the more I develop what it can be, literally growing the idea into eventual fruition. It seems that many people are in a state of frustration with the status of life. So lets change that. This is our life. How do we want to live? Slaves till retirement? Not me. I'm here to experience and enjoy every facet and it seems that my peers share a similar idea of life.

We can do it! We can break free from systems of control! Cast away fear and doubt, for the power lies within the people, and the individual power of the do-ocracy!

What started out to be just personal self sustainability has turned into the real possibility of a new world living/learning/loving life experience. A retreat co-op, if you will.

The farm wouldn't be against making money. In fact, we would sell products and services to local communities and those seeking retreat from the oppressive media and corporate giants. Prominent urbanites pay top dollar for mud masks, and there's no reason we shouldn't offer a whole life experience of organic, off the grid living. For each person that wants to live or visit a life of liberation, harmony with nature, and consciousness, we can break free from systems of control. It is literally and physically possible.

I've been called an idealist, but I think I'm a realist living ideally.

34.2º N, 118.4º W - This is my current position.

Definitive locations thus far:

Covington, LA
to work at Nealy's restaurant. maybe learning to bar tend. Perhaps working Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans part time.

Hatiesburg, MS
to build a greenhouse and begin excavation of The Shire on Uncle Paul's 200 acre tree farm. $8 an hour and tranquility. A paid Thoreau...

Whitefish, MT
to work on farms and gain knowledge of cultivation methods. 15 hour weeks, a bounty of nature surrounding.

Odiyan Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center, CA
to study Buddhism, build shrines and temples, and cultivate a garden for 3 months. Pays $200 a week

While the four prior locations are certain, chronology has not been determined quite yet. There are a few more farms I'm attempting to ascertain apprenticeship on before I make any commitments in ink.

Sampling from The Sanctuary, in Pahoa, HI (1 of 60 farms in Hawaii)

...not far from active volcanic flows that enter the ocean, and we have black sand beaches, a gorgeous shoreline, and an eclectic, alternative back to the land community.... 70 acres consists of old forests, organic orchard, grazing for sheep, goats, and horses, fish aquaculture, in ground swimming pool and hot tub, and an inter species community of man and animal. we only use alternative energy and are completely off the grid... we consider our place a Sanctuary since we seek harmony, tranquility, and peace with nature...looking for WWOOFers year round wanting 2 week internship learning how to live off the land, car for the wild, live off the grid, learn organic farming practices, and connect with animals. we offer house shared by WWOOFers located in forest setting, provide board and fresh goat milk, eggs, and tropical fruit bounty. In exchange, we want 4 hours of work per day, 6 days per week. bareback horse riding training available.

I must write letters or call each host farm. I'm getting my ducks in line, and really putting my efforts towards this path.

I'm taking a sick day tomorrow. As in, the cubicle makes me sick.

Today, I was part of a green home build with Habitat for Humanity. A select few individuals from my company were invited to participate in the volunteering alongside some members of the band Linkin Park and their social activism group Music for Relief. While I'm not a fan of this rip/rock alternative band currently, they made a mark on me in earlier years. Interesting how things come around.But I digress. I built the roof of a future home for some future family. That they can own, and be proud of, love. I even drew some hearts on rafters. Throwing down a hammer and lifting lumber while mixed with the rawness of manual labor mixed with the community building qualities of volunteer work empowered me to new levels for Atom Farm. The houses are all LEED Certified and the man in charge, Mark Van Lue, of making that all happen explained the measures in play that employed environmental consciousness and better science. Not just plunking a solar panel on the roof and calling it a day, but from the ground up; including landscaping and water usage, ventilation and insulation, materials used and location of raw parts.

I'm kind of hoping I get laid off. How alternative, given the status of the economy, I know. With the free time, I would be able to focus on my own clients and projects. This would accelerate my research and preparations for continuation of the path. In any case, I'd like to collect the unemployment and apprentice or intern under Mr. Van Lue, the gentleman who I met at the Habitat for Humanity build, get LEED certified, and add that notch of knowledge to the Atom Farm belt.
All the elements are coming together and I'm seeing the path so clearly these days. I feel so tapped in to life.

Future headline of an advertisement you might find in Craigslist:
"Technology infused Farm and sustainable CoOp Retreat seeks resident librarian to cultivate and maintain collection." They might come to the farm and I would help build their library/workshop/livespace. Now, lets take it a step further to include resident musicians, artists, bakers, yoga instructors, theatre workshops, astronomers, poets, horse handlers, cooks, fishers, gardeners, the list can go on.

I felt so motivated and alive afterwards that I didn't want to go sit in the box of work and consumerism tomorrow, and what better way to get fired than calling in sick when I'm not sick. But I would be sick if I went to work. So I called in to work to avoid getting sick.

The cubicle makes me sick.

FarmLab

Wow. The signs just keep getting clearer. I found a project through the wanderings of the internet and Greenopia called Farmlab. "A short-term multi-disciplinary investigation of land use issues that are related to sustainability, livability, and health. Among much more, as a nascent think tank, art production studio, and cultural performance venue."

I want to go check this out.

One of the events that looks interesting is a speech called Can Design Stop a War? Which is interesting to me, because I want a farm and to design material that really matters. For no monetary gain, but simply to execute a visually stunning and coherent message of worth!

The path is presenting itself to me like a dog in heat.

Life after Burning Man

Great experience. Our Midnight Ridazz camp was great. Its especially awesome to come back to the default and have a stronger connection to the riders. 

I'm having difficulty finding direction. There are many options for the next step staring me in the face. All i wanted when i came back was to ride my bike have some kind answer, but none had come, so brian and i packed up the bikes, went to vegas, the hoover dam, the grand canyon and ended up in Texas. I drove halfway across the country on a whim after two weeks of meeting you. Something chemical, you even said.

I suppose I was looking for something. Some kind of answer or direction, but i only found more options. Life is full of them, and its what I do with each that makes me who i am. Right now, I need a job. I think I'm just gunna be simple for a little bit and work at Whole Foods - and ride ride ride. It will give me the chance to enjoy myself, and focus on some real freelance design projects I feel more endeavored to.

Mostly I'm trying to figure out what exactly it is that I want out of life, out of my future, and what I'm here for. I've felt that I spread myself over many things and lack a follow through or motivation, or perhaps even a passion. I'm still finding the avenues, but I know my path will present itself gradually.

Burning Man and the post road trip adventure have given me the peace of mind to sit stare at the horizon, and take my time with a decision that I genuinely want. Relative happiness is a whole completeness within the individual. I am happy.

P.S. I can't write music, but here are two song titles from my trip: "I left my toothbrush in El Paso" & "Never been to Austin; Just thought I'd Go"