Prairie Wanders

"Here was the least common denominator of nature, the skeleton requirements simply, of land and sky" - W.O. Mitchell. I'm a born and raised Prairie boy, and now I'm embarking on an adventure around the world. I'll draw on what I've learned growing up amongst the land and sky, and seek to learn more, as I live in a vibrant new environment. Any photos I post are mine, and are not re-blogged. If they are re-blogged, they will be well-labelled. Jaydiohead - The Encore by Max Tannone

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well...

i am hanging out on this blog now...have been for about 9 months; this is just a reminder.

[email protected]

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Coming up to 5 AM. Getting tired- thats what I'm aiming for though. 

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This reminds me of Christmas.

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gah!

So, i've decided that staying up the entire night before my trip, making me exhausted, would help me sleep on the plane. Was this a good idea? Was this a big mistake?

I don't sleep well in vehicles, so i figured, "what-the-hey" I might as well make myself so tired that I have to sleep on the plane, right?

Am I going to regret this?

Also:

www.VietDon.tumblr.com

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3 Days

It is 3 days until I am in Vietnam. I'm freaking out. I get to be with Betsy this weekend! I haven't seen her since January 3rd, so it's been far, far too long. Also, in honour of this trip, I made a Vietnam-specific blog. The URL is www.vietdon.tumblr.com this is where I will do the majority of my trip blogging... At least that is the idea. We'll see how well that goes. Sorry for the lack of posting recently, we've had some visitors from England, so I've been tour guide; couple that with the preparations for the move, I haven't had much time to be online. More later. 3 days. Gah.

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alllthatsknown:

lol uh guys

it’s okay to rejoice in the death of someone who murdered thousands of innocent people for no reason

you’re all dumb lol

You're right! I'm glad President Truman is dead. I mean how many innocent Japanese did he kill when he dropped the bombs...and when Bush dies, there should be dancing in the streets, cus just imagine how many innocent people died because of him; afghanis, iraqis, and americans. 

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England Journals: May 15, 2009

I think today was an appropriate way to give a sign-off to the Lakes. We: Tim, Sarah, Emily, Kaitlyn (the Bronte Sisters), and I, climbed "Helm Craig". The peak wasn't exactly high, as it was only 450 m, but the weather wasn't in our favour for the ascent; only once we summited did the Sun appear. We could watch it crawl across the hills, as we gazed down upon the Tarn opposite us. 

My love of this place is going to stunted because it won't be able to grow; I won't be able to walk amongst the varying fauna and branches, flowers, ponds, bird song... I can see why people don't want to leave. There is a sense of peace and tranquility that doesn't come with "Big City" life. It's said that observation, not older age, brings wisdom. I feel wiser now because of what I've observed so far. I feel more human; more complete. Tomorrow we change gears and go to Oxford- maybe I'll get a hoodie.

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England Journals: May 11, 2009

The Jerwood Centre was far better than I expected. I was hit with the sense of awe that I haven't felt in a longtime; it was very much a state of reverence. Being surrounded by manuscripts, not just first editions, that started, comprised, and summarised an entire literary period and movement is more than can be explained in a journal entry. 

The exersise of transcribing Wordsworth's poem was far harder than I ever imagined; the man had terrible handwriting!! This excersise was not helped by the fact that we were each issued only a photocopy of source material, although, the primary source was on hand for consultation. I kept wondering what it would be like to hold the book for the first time, and be ther first one to transcribe Wordsworth's handwriting. Of course he would be alive and able to consult, but it must have been magical! 

I really like the town of Grasmere, it may be over-priced, but I can honestly see what poets saw in this place. The landscape is, as Wordsworth himself said, Sublime. It is as if the Canadian Rockies were made on a more human scale. To interact with nature in this place is easy, accessible. I remember commenting to Sarah that the clouds move faster here, but society is stopped, so time is irrelevant. The narrative of life is subjected by the place.

Today we went to Scotland to the Ruthwell Cross. It is hard to understand why the cross isn't in a museum, but I'm glad it isn't. I'm glad it is sitting right where is was intended to be. The runes on the cross are so well preserved that it is eery. I find myself constantly stepping into history. I know that phrase is cliche, but it is very apporpriate. The past is more relevant to me now, more-so that it ever has been, and it's not like I've been ignorant to history, it's just that coming on this trip is a revelation.

I'm getting a little tired of the female companionship. The girls are great, but the differences are becoming very evident. They are a bit more willing to stay in at night than I am. I would prefer to go meet locals, partake in society, rather than observe it- become active, rather than passive. 

I cooked pasta tonight because I was getting tired of spending money at "The Lamb's Inn"- the place is so greasy that by the time you get home it's time for "Lamb's Out". Huh. Look at that- I called it home. 

This place is so comforting. The cliche goes: Home is where the heart is, and now I'm reminded of the song from a musical a few years back called "Where is Your Heart?" I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that thought.

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England Journals: May 14, 2009

I haven't written in a few days; I could say it's because I've been too busy to write, but I haven't. Really, I've been unsure of what to write. I'm laying in bed at the Youth Hostel in Grasmere, which is 45 min from the Scottish Border.

I've spent the past few days in Hay-on-Wye, in Wales. It is a stunning country, it's very peaceful. The town/village (Im not too sure how habitations are designated here, other than cities that is....David has told us all about that- twice) claims to be the largest second-hand book store in the World. Some eccentric millionaire bought the Castle in middle of town (cus thats what you do when you have that much money, you buy castles), and turned in into a used book shop. I'm not entirely sure why so many other stores followed suit. I think there was some sort of tax break, or subsidy that he offered if they did...

The enviroment in Hay is alive, more-so than any place I've been so far. I do need to mention our exuisite accommodations: They were two tiny houses that we could run free in, with two stocked kitchens, I took a video of it. I could have spent a few weeks there, but we could only stay for two days.

I spoke with Sarah tonight about how we live in a society that rarely sees the horror in symmetry...we fall in line like the reforested pine that the British government planted in Wales and the Lake District. I said this as we sat upon the hill outside and we looked out and saw a square forest on the opposite side of the hill, a natural desidious forest. 

I also talked to her about how Art is the only thing that humans do, or create (on a side note makir is the old english word for poet) to leave our mark on earth after we've left earth...that is anything that is worth something: i could build a drystack wall, apparently those last a while though.

This place provokes much thought, I really enjoy it. It's the definition of sublime. I really can see Wordsworth's references everywhere. Tomorrow I wish I could just lay in bed all day, but alas I won't- we're off for a long walk, which should be equally as good. This place is like a perfume sticking to my mind.

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England Journals: May 10, 2009

"We shan't go to Camelot- 'tis a silly place"

We left our hotel this morning, in Chiswick, and met our driver David. Personally, I was excited to get our of London; i know some of the more metropolitan girls were not. We headed out of London as David complained about the EU for awhile. David has a headset hooked up to speakers in the bus, this allows his speach to be heard by everyone, whenever he talks. 

First, we heard about an artist he has very loose ties to, then the problems with the EU regulations, then various topics of his choosing. My first impression of David is alright, he knows so much, but he is very much like my cousin Owen, who fixes plane parts and follows conspiracy theories and stays up late into the night smoking pot; not that David smokes pot, but I think he follows conspiracies, and he is very cynical, also like Owen. I think Tim tolerates him. His voice can quietly lull the entire bus to sleep, which makes me feel bad, but sometimes I can't help it. 

Today we saw ancient history become present. After attending church in Winchester Cathedral, which hasn't changed at all since the 16th century, we had "Pastys". Winchester is amazing, it almost grabs my eyes and pulls them towards heaven. What scares me though, is the age of hte congregation. It is comprised of members in their 80's, and young children. In 10 years, unless there is a change, there wil be no Winchester Congregation. I think I prefer Winchester to Westminster; it is simpler, and it's less busy. 

Tonight we read part of Tess of the D'bervilles while in the standing stones at Stonehenge. it is an experience that is truly unique and something I will never forget. We got special permission from UNESCO to go into the site after it had closed for the night. We were able to go beyond that barriers set up, and we were able to walk around, touch the stones, look at the scars of history left there. 

I get another room to myself tonight at a fairly seedy Youth Hostel. I've never had to make my own bed up, at least in a room I'm paying for....at home it's common place.

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The originators. 

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je suis triste; je suis fatigue.

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...that awkward moment when you're watching a movie and you laugh out loud, and realize that you're home alone...

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This is depressing actually...

Contented people are more likely to vote than unhappy ones, according to a study co-authored by a Baylor University researcher.

Dr. Patrick Flavin, an assistant professor of political science at Baylor, also found that discontented individuals are no more likely to take part in political protests.

And:

..."we can say with confidence that people who reported being more satisfied with their lives are more likely to get involved in politics," he said.

-So, basically they're saying that nothing is going to change.