There is a wonderful story about Ikkyu, a Zen monk who lived in the fifteenth century in Japan. It seems the governor of the province where Ikkyu lived posted a sign next to a twisted and gnarled pine tree. If you’ve hiked in high altitudes, or along the coast, you can often see trees like this – trees that have been sculpted by the artistic winds and rain they are exposed to. The sign read, ”Whoever can see this crooked pine tree as straight will receive a prize.”
“People who walked past the tree and read the sign stopped and tried to figure out this riddle. How could they see this crooked tree as straight? Many people circled the tree, some several times. Others laid flat on the ground and looked up from below. A few climbed the tree and one person brought a ladder so as to get a glimpse of the tree from above the crown.
“But nobody figured out how to see the crooked tree as straight.”
“So the riddle went unsolved and word of this challenge spread throughout the province.”
“One day Ikyu came walking by and read the sign. He looked at the tree and immediately went to the governor’s estate. He claimed, ” I have solved the riddle and would like my prize.” Somewhat surprised, and perhaps a bit suspicious the governor asked, “how did you see the crooked tree straight?” And Ikkyu answered, “It is crooked.” A crooked tree is crooked and to see it “just as it is” is to see it straight.”
Sit down with a glass of unsweetened cold brew tea, ripping my Yocan Orbit after inserting a nice dab of a gassy live rosin, all while vibing to Akira The Don's That Golden Sound album. Chill af.
I am done with Dave and Busters. What a shitshow. Some of the machines are always broken, the food is mediocre at best, and I just want to play fun games, not win tickets for shitty prizes. Where are all the real arcade machines?!
Watch some primitive/bushcraft survival videos on YouTube. There's a lot of good tips and tricks, especially for when you aren't exactly prepared for camping (emergency situations) and need shelter, fire, food, water, etc.
Favorite channels:
Bertram - Craft and Wilderness (off-trail camping videos)
Coalcracker Bushcraft (lots of good info)
Donnie Dust's Paleo Tracks (primitive tools)
Primitive Technology (fire by friction, primitive crafting)
Survivorman - Les Stroud (survival, cooking, history, etc)
If someone misgenders me, I just laugh it off, especially if it's intentional (I sometimes give them a bow and "namaste"). I came this far to get where I am, I'm certainly not going to let what others say get under my skin.
"Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner." -Lao Tzu
Also, stay off of social media if you care about your mental health, especially Tiktok. It's brainrot and not worth your energy.
Those are probably carpenter bees, not bumblebees. They look very similar. Carpenter bees are motherfuckers that drill 1/2" holes into deck posts and other wooden surfaces. Might want to get some traps.
There is a wonderful story about Ikkyu, a Zen monk who lived in the fifteenth century in Japan. It seems the governor of the province where Ikkyu lived posted a sign next to a twisted and gnarled pine tree. If you’ve hiked in high altitudes, or along the coast, you can often see trees like this – trees that have been sculpted by the artistic winds and rain they are exposed to. The sign read, ”Whoever can see this crooked pine tree as straight will receive a prize.”
“People who walked past the tree and read the sign stopped and tried to figure out this riddle. How could they see this crooked tree as straight? Many people circled the tree, some several times. Others laid flat on the ground and looked up from below. A few climbed the tree and one person brought a ladder so as to get a glimpse of the tree from above the crown. “But nobody figured out how to see the crooked tree as straight.”
“So the riddle went unsolved and word of this challenge spread throughout the province.”
“One day Ikyu came walking by and read the sign. He looked at the tree and immediately went to the governor’s estate. He claimed, ” I have solved the riddle and would like my prize.” Somewhat surprised, and perhaps a bit suspicious the governor asked, “how did you see the crooked tree straight?” And Ikkyu answered, “It is crooked.” A crooked tree is crooked and to see it “just as it is” is to see it straight.”