Report from Pahoa

Starseed (Pahoa resident)  says the Kilauea lava flow that's threatening her home " ..is an exercise is patience and non-attachment. Madam Pele is our teacher. The lava will go when and where the lava wants to go."

Emma Stone

The millennials

Mia Wasikowska in the movie 'Tracks'

I've been following a group of actors and actresses who represent the Millennial generation. These are kids who came of age in the 2000's (Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Jake Johnson). Many of them don't have big studio contracts (if those even exist anymore) so they appear mostly in independent films (Breathe in, Drinking Buddies, Safety Not Guaranteed). Independent films rarely make it to 'wide release' in the U.S. Sometimes they go directly to DVD ..which leads me to my question: if the actors and actresses in these films represent the Millennial generation ..why don't they make it to 'wide release' more often? I have a theory. I think it has something to do with the narrative-expectation of this generation. They're the target audience for film distributors (between the ages of 16 and 30) and they're the one's who determine which films go from 'limited' to 'wide release' (the industry looks at their twitter posts from theaters during the first week). I don't believe Independent films always follow the 'video game' narrative they we're raised with.

Battle of evermore

We've been at war my whole life. So why am I so anxious for it to be over and peace to resume? What makes me think that war is short-term? It never results in a lasting peace. It only creates more enemies ..new threats and more war. I'm beginning to think it may be a way of life (x). I’m reminded of a Buddhist parable Jisho Perry once told us. I call it ‘the battle of evermore’ because I don’t remember the actual title. Nor do I remember the words. I can only paraphrase. It goes something like this:

A sentient being, unable to escape the cycle of reincarnation, is locked in perpetual battle with another being: a ferocious beast from hell. After several lifetimes of this, he grows disgusted. No longer fearing death he declares: “Enough! I can no longer live like this" and throws down his sword. Suddenly the illusion of the ferocious beast vanishes, the barricade of defensiveness crumbles and he's free from the endless cycle of battle.

critical thought

 Students in Colorado protesting Government
control of information taught in schools

In an effort to establish state control of education in Hong Kong, the Chinese government enacted the Patriotic Education Curriculum of 2012. Student leaders successfully campaigned against it (x)

In August 2014, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution requiring schools to use an Education Curriculum that presents a Patriotic view of history and promotes respect for Authority ..replacing one by the College Board of Review that promotes critical thinking. Sounds like a similar move to install State-Controlled education in the U.S. Students in Colorado are protesting (x)

coastal zone

offshore conditions at Butterfly ..crystal

Thousand Steps