Create Our World.

Mmm... Quiche.

“Happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman

Meet Jacquie & Mike.

And Scott, Jason, Liz, and Noelle.  On my way north of Los Angeles, I am headed to Ventura, California.  But in response to a message I sent the Ventura Couchsurfers, Jacquie and Mike invite me over for the night.  

Jacquie and Mike are married and met working for an audio company that tweaks the sound of movies.  Their son, Scott is a language guru and is looking to attend a school in Paris after he graduates.  Their other son, Jason is turning thirty tomorrow and his fiance, Liz is studying the current water problem that is facing Southern California (ie. they don’t have any and have to pipe it in from other states).  Noelle wasn’t present, but I learned a lot about her story from Jacquie.  A writer and traveler, she is in Europe now attending college.  But I could be wrong and she could be in Africa now, while on a break from her schooling.  Either way, she is exploring our world.

Ahhh... Bed.

Eating Well.

We ate like kings!  Jacquie and Mike cooked up a lamb chops, sprinkled with herbs and set on a white plate.  We drank wine and swapped travel stories till late into the night.  They are remodeling their home and my room was over the garage in a wide open space.  A bed all to myself with clean sheets and beautiful light rays in the morning.  

We ate quiche in the morning and helped around the house making food for Jason’s big thirtieth birthday party.  I couldn’t stay long as I was hitchhiking up to Ventura, which was only about 15 miles away, but you never know with hitchhiking.  

It was an enjoyable place to spend the night.

Create Our World.

Ben

“What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds.  When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then.  People don’t have your past to hold against you.  No yesterdays on the road.”  ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways

The man in mid-air is leaping and flipping over the children.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way.  Be unique.  Be what you feel.” – Melissa Etheridge

 

Venice Beach.

Just to the west of Los Angeles is Venice Beach.  Named after it’s sister city in Italy, Venice has canals running to the ocean in between multi-million dollar homes.  Once the hangout of the Doors, it is now a popular tourist destination and a magnet for interesting, weird, and bizarre people.  

I spent the week a half mile or so from the beach with my good friends, Josh and Inwha.  Although some said it was overrated, for a people lover like myself I was in heaven.  Street performers, cheesy tourist apparel, and people, people, people.  

Here are a few photographs and soon I will show a video I made with my friends, Alicja and Lokesh on Valentine’s Day.  Stay tuned!

He danced in this hoop.

Bikini Land.

Create Our World.

Ben

“Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread.  Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique.” – Unknown.

Snoozin' in the OC.

“Many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy; many, amid great affluence, are utterly miserable.” – Publius Cornelius Tacitus

The next few days are going to be a catch-up from the past couple weeks.  From my stay in Orange County, to hitching and riding buses up the coast to Los Angeles, to spending a week with friends in Venice Beach, and finally my journey to my current home.  I am currently north of Los Angeles, outside of Ventura, California.  I have found a small farm to work on here.  They provide a place to stay, all the basmati rice and mung beans I can eat, and an extra 80 dollars to buy other foods or needed items.  

The 26th smallest city in Orange County.

Orange County, California is known for being rich and conservative.  Three of the ‘Top 25 Most Conservative Cities’ are located here.  No other county has more than one city on the list.  On the southern edge of the county is Dana Point.  Dana Point is one of the smallest cities in Orange County.  I am headed here to watch the agent of change, Seth Godin speak.  

Dana Point.

The houses are nice here.  I find Sea Terrace Park and make it my home for three days.  It is a beautiful spot.  Very well-manicured and decorated with colorful and beautiful plants.  I find a corner with a few small trees to conceal my tent. The public library is nestled on one corner of the park and the beach is a short walk away.  I spend the days reading “Escape from Cubicle Nation” by Pam Slim, snoozing near the beach, and working on my website.

Tomorrow, Seth Godin!!!  Who is he???

Seth is a marketing expert.  I am uninterested in marketing, yet he makes marketing inspiring.  He is going to rock your world.

Create Our World.

Ben

“We must learn to provide affluence without effluence… by consuming less from the environment, not more.  We can use less, and have more.  Consume less, and be more.  The interests of business, and the interests of environment, are not incompatible.” – Tachi Kuichi