Monday, February 09, 2015

Thank You Brian Williams


Am I Dreaming?

Warning: Fox News fans will most likely want to skip this or at least have your blood pressure meds handy. Everyone else, well, you too may not be pleased.

I was wondering why the news regarding the recent Brian Williams debacle was coming to light now, after so many years. Then it occurred to me that any good, intelligent alarm clock, especially a metaphysical one, which has failed in its task, will do what it can to complete it. In this case, GET LOUDER. Bear with me and I’ll explain.

So many people these days consider themselves “Awake” simply because they have come to realize that it’s possible to be in a very real slumber such as has reached epidemic proportions on this beautiful spherical spaceship we call Earth. However, the simple recognition that it’s possible to be asleep in an existential sense and arise from it does not come close to amounting to being “Awake”. It’s only then that the real work begins, not ends.

In the lucid dreaming world, one widely recognized method of determining whether or not you are dreaming is to try to read a digital readout. If you can read it then you are awake. If the numbers are scrambled or illegible then you can be sure you are dreaming. It’s really pretty simple, unless your real world digital appliance is actually on the fritz, in which case you are on your own. Unfortunately, we do not have such an effective test when we are in the “waking state” which we might refer to as normal (non-sleeping) everyday life.

That’s life and it’s a shame because the human race could really use an accurate tool for determining whether or not one is “Awake” in the philosophical worldly sense. These days many self professed “Awake” individuals who truly believe themselves to be “Awake” will point to this or that as evidence that they are in fact “Awake”.

I offer a word of caution and a suggestion. Please, for humanity’s sake, take a really close look and do your best to be honest with yourself. Is it possible you are mistaking the process of “awakening” for being “awake” and you may in fact still be caught up in a dream?   One such case in point is the “enlightened deduction” that Fox “News” is nothing but fabricated fantasies churning out propaganda for “The Conservatives”, “The Republicans”, Rupert Murdoch,  “The Neo-Cons”, “NWO sympathizers”, “Illuminati”, “Global Elite” or whatever term they choose to apply to their nemesis.

If it weren’t for the inexplicable fact that FOX “News” actually has viewers, I would say that the aforementioned understanding was self evident. The fact that it does have viewers only proves to me that there is a very real and disturbing possibility of being “asleep” and that the “Zombification” of humans is a very real thing which is occurring not only on Hollywood movie screens, but right before our very eyes.

I count it as fortunate that self proclaimed “Awakened” ones can clearly see this, but let’s not pat ourselves on the back just yet. The fact is that waking up to the reality of what Fox “News” actually is and then switching the channel to NBC, CBS, CNN, et al. is akin to realizing that a .45 caliber bullet to the heart is fatal, but believing a .22 caliber is of no consequence.


The fact is that ALL television programming (it isn’t called programming for nothing) has an agenda. One might argue that it’s not all bad, but we need not fret over percentages. Anyway, I’m not suggesting that you don’t watch television at all. It can be useful to take barometric measurements of the pressures being placed on society if you can read between the lines while remaining sufficiently insulated from their effects. However, if you do subject yourself to T.V. then you should be aware of what the agenda is and not lose track of it.

Additionally, I’d like to point out that your television is one machine and every channel and every news outlet is a cog in that machine. Fox “News” just happens to be the biggest by far and most obvious cog in that machine. This is by design because it facilitates all the other much smaller cogs hiding behind it.  It would be laughable that “Television Programmers” would present such obvious tactics if they didn’t work so pathetically well on so many people. Sadly, they do and there is more to this deviously genius plot.

Fox grabs the attention of the population who are either incapable of critical thinking or for whatever reason refuse to employ it. Meanwhile, many of the self proclaimed awakened choose to point fingers, poke fun or worse, hurl expletives towards FOX and immediately deem that the appropriate response is to watch another channel. That is not the wisest of responses. If this is you, I respectfully ask “Are you able to tell the time on the reality testing digital watch.” Or are you still awakening?

 They are ALL cogs in the same machine. If nothing else, please consider this: Everything you see on T.V. is by design; it’s what “they” want you to see. Everything you hear on the news, no matter which station, is what they want you to hear.  I use the term “news” in this case just as loosely as Fox does.

So I would like to thank both Brian Williams and the proverbial alarm clock for getting louder and attempting to wake us up to the realization that nearly all, if not all, of the main stream media is a “Fox in sheep’s clothing”.


Let me be clear. In my humble opinion Brian Williams did not “make a mistake”. He lied. Then, instead of owning up to it and taking responsibility he offered, in the guise of an apology, an excuse. The excuse being, that he made a mistake which is just another lie on top of a lie. On top of that he has “voluntarily” removed himself from the air temporarily. This I take to mean, “I’m going to lie (pun intended) low for a while until everyone forgets about this”. Well, Mr. Williams, I’ll never forget.

Now if you disagree with holding journalists to a high standard that is your choice, but then you get what you deserve. For me, that would be like trading in a trusted physician for a cannibalistic witch doctor. Personally I seek the truth. Those whose profession it supposedly is to share with us the truth, who then knowingly and willingly fabricates a “truth” does not deserve to be in a position of telling me the truth.

It’s bad enough that we accept the fact that most of our politicians are pathological liars and stand by idly. It is a sign that the conditioning of mankind is nearly complete when we willingly apologize for our captors at every turn.

Can you hear the alarm clock? It’s so loud some of your neighbors might be hearing it. Why? Because it’s high time we all wake up. Mankind is counting on each of us. Dreams are only sweet when they are realized in the real world.

Addendum:

Here are a couple of tips: 

     1. If even for a half second you ask whether or not you are awake, you aren’t. There is no shame in that. Trust me, if you ARE “Awake” then you’ll really know it. How could you be awake if you didn’t know you were awake? 
   
   2.      If you still believe everything you see and hear then you are not “Awake”. If you don’t then you are awakening. If you believe none of it without confirming it for yourself, then you are making a real bonafide attempt to wake up. Congratulations and Thank You. That’s worthy of a hearty pat on the back.

If nothing else, please do me a favor and ask yourself, “Am I truly awake?” Our dreams depend upon it!

Just in case you are wondering: The fact that I have most certainly offended Fox “News” fans and others is not of concern and I make no apologies. If one were to tell me they enjoy it for the “entertainment” value, I could respect that, after all who doesn’t like being entertained. Otherwise… I suggest some research into “cognitive dissonance”. It’s a very powerful impediment and if you are suffering from it, you are another cog in their machine. The question is: Have you chosen to be or was it surreptitiously foisted on you?

"The best slave is one who believes them self free."

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Back into the Matrix



End of September 2013

After taking leave of the Zion there was one historical site I decided to check out before  reinserting myself squarely back in to the matrix. The old ghost town of Grafton seemed like an appropriate reentry point. 

Ghosts drive this tractor now!
The old shell of a town lies just outside of Zion National Park down a rough and dusty dirt road alongside of the Virgin River. Settled by Mormons in the 1860's they enjoyed the fertile farm lands adjacent  to the river for a spell only occasionally suffering through some local flooding.

However, it was the increasingly numerous conflicts with the native locals which eventually caused a few deaths and consequently the death of the town when elders rallied the town's people to all move to nearby Hurricane where there were safety in numbers. 

Ghostly Grafton Graves
The town's people returned to work their fields daily for a while, but the small graveyard lies as testament to the rough life and hardships which eventually caused the town to fade like a half seen apparition. 

Closing the chapter on Utah I headed into Arizona where just south of Page, AZ there is a geological wonder known as Horseshoe Bend. This should not be confused with a recent mysterious "geological event" which has forced a big detour from Rt. 89 leading to the Bend when a large section of the highway buckled due to yet unknown forces. 

Horseshoe Bend

Although it is the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend isn't technically part of the Grand Canyon. At least not officially as it lies a few miles outside of the park. However it is a spectacular and unique view which I recommend adding to your Grand Canyon excursion if you have the chance. 

East End of Grand Canyon



Following the detour I wound up in the Grand Canyon just in time to catch a chilly sunset. Another day was coming to a close as the Sun's golden rays subsided while the shadows of the canyon floor crept up the canyon walls and enveloped one of the largest holes on the planet as it does just about every diurnal period.  Amid the throngs of people gawking and photographing the G.C. I found a spot, got a few shots and decided that as grand as it is, I felt the call of the San Diego stronger.

Sedona
Museum&Gift shop Grand Canyon Style
In the morning I would tour through the beautiful and highly charged Sedona before making one more stop in Joshua Tree before diving back into the pacific ocean and the wavy waters of north county San Diego. And with that the trips comes to an end. Sort of.....





Watch your Step!!!

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Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Red Pill or Blue Pill, Searching for Zion- Sept 23-28


The Road to Zion

    I awoke groggily. The dream was so real. Too real! One of those dreams that is so convincing that it takes a while to figure out whether or not you are still dreaming.  It seemed like years, but it could only have been a few moments until I was coherent enough to realize that it was, in fact, a dream. But that it was also a dream within a dream. With a sudden strikingly lucid thud, its full impact materialized and I knew I had to extricate myself from the matrix. There could be no other way, I had to find an exit. Unfortunately, these days finding an exit is becoming very near to impossible. I needed help.

Checkerboard Mesa
"Link, I need an exit."

"Continue on Rt. 9 for 10 more miles through the East Canyon. Follow the labyrinth of vividly colored sandstone cliffs rising towards the sky and on past Checkerboard Mesa. "

"Sounds nice, if only I had time to completely explore those wonders of nature."

"You said you want an exit! Don't get distracted. Let me know when you've reached the tunnel."

The Tunnel to Zion
It takes a massive amount of determination to travel through the maze of towering, mesmerizing cliffs without pause and without haphazardly driving off one of them in distraction. 

"Ok Link, I'm at the tunnel."

"Go through the tunnel, follow the switchbacks and for heaven's sake don't stop for the countless photo ops. At Scenic Drive head south to the Visitor's Center."

"Copy that, I'll let you know when I'm there."

Links directions are clear, but what was unforeseen was the cunning adaptability of the matrix. Suddenly thrown out before me is an obstacle I powerless to resist, even now that I'm awake. Unable to control myself I pull over to shoot the gang of Big Horn Sheep who unabashedly pose for me on the cliffs just overhead. Are they real or not? My clarity vacillates. Jolting back to reality and the mission at hand I tear myself away from the aberrations of the matrix. I must get to the exit point, I must get to Zion!

"Link, I'm pulling into the parking lot now."

"The exit is on the northeast side of the building."

The "Exit" from the Matrix
Carefully making my way through the maze of informative exhibits describing the history and the geology as well as the biology of this wild place I reach for the phone and put it to my ear and hear, "Operator!....."

"Link, get me out of here!"

Cairns
Moments later as the fiber optics are removed I find myself conscious in the land of Zion! Awakened from the dream within the dream. "Zion", the Hebrew word for refuge or promised land. Throughout the land of Utah "cairns" or rock piles are used to mark the path you are to follow. In the Jewish tradition cairns are left in places to indicate one's attendance at that spot. Here in Zion the cairns appropriately do double duty signifying both presence and direction.

In the movie The Matrix, Zion is "the real place", the stark and drab reality you awake to when Morpheus' crew yanks you out of the machine created matrix. Here in Zion National Park things can appear so surreal that it isn't hard to imagine that you are stuck inside a bizarre holographic computer program. From the beginning of time people have gravitated here seeking sanctuary from the dry dessert's vast reaches in this relatively small area where the vitality of the Green River has shaped the area for time untold and continues to do so. 

The Watchman over Virgin River
Continually changing, Zion is a refuge, but the Machines of the Matrix are abound and you still have to stay away from the sentinels. I guess that's why you aren't allowed to drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during daylight hours, it's just too risky. However,  I was able to procure a night permit gaining me access to shoot scenes as long as I was out before first light. Bidding my time I set up to shoot the iconic Watchman standing guard over the Virgin River during sunset. Later, running in silent mode I perched myself in front of numerous other Zion features such as The East and West Temples, The Tower of the Virgin, The Sentinel, The ominous Altar of Sacrafice and the majestic Court of the Patriarchs all under the cover of the night sky. 

Weeping Rock
Daytime is presumably safer for travel, although you still are required to take Zion transport up and down the Scenic Drive. Not wasting any time exploring this new world I took in the sites and the ambiance of Riverside Walk, Weeping Rock, Zion Lodge, The Emerald Pools,  and also paid my respects at the Temple of Sinawava. As evening fell I once again ventured into Zion under darkness. I had gained confidence the first night having stayed under the radar of the machines, but I wasn't as lucky the second night. Late in the evening I was viciously attacked by an automated sprinkler system and had to make a hasty retreat back to the van after suffering some superficial sprinklings. 

Court of the Patriarchs
After that close call with the machines I decided to move on to the sparser middle section of Zion and traveled up Kolob Terrace Road which is the jumping off point for the popular destination known as The Subway. However, another permit is needed and only a certain number are available each day. Not able to get said permit I was properly "bummed" that I wouldn't be able to see firsthand this eerily beautiful section of Zion, but decided that I would leave it as a definitive reason for having to come back in the future. 

Riverside Walk
Kolob Terrace Road View
Apparently the sentinels are rampant everywhere, even in the very Northwest of Zion where I once again had to get a permit for a backcountry stay. After doing so I hiked the Taylor Creek Trail, crossing the creek many times to reach the unusual Double Arch Alcove. A huge lower alcove with interesting water streaks, greenery and a large brim overhead with the second arch or alcove very high up, capping the lower one. Hiking back out you could feel the chill in the air and understand the warnings that the higher elevations might get snow that night. 


Heading deeper up Kolob Canyon Road I started to grow weary and really annoyed as I drove towards my camping spot for the night. The problem was I couldn't drive more than 50 yards at a time without having to pull over to get some really great shots of the Finger Canyons. It took forever to drive that last 1/2 mile!

 
The last official item on my agenda was to return a lost human communication device which I had found along the way. Then, before leaving, I got word to Morpheus that I was heading out of Zion, but that someday I would return.......





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