Revisiting a lesson in snobbery and politics

"The first thing that you must realize is that power is collective.  The individual only has power in so far as he ceases to be an individual.  You know the Party slogan 'Freedom is Slavery.'  Has it ever occurred to you that it is reversible?  Slavery is freedom. Alone - free - the human being is always defeated.  It must be so, because every human being is doomed to die, which is the greatest of all failures.  But if he can make complete, utter submission, if he can escape from his identity, if he can merge himself in the Party so that he is the Party, then he is all-powerful and immortal."  

1984, George Orwell

Revisiting the snob, here is an auxiliary lesson to be learned.  For the sake of belonging and oneness, one may surrender their identity to the group or power that they wish to succeed in.  In retrospect, it is becoming apparent that all individuals must surrender themselves at some point, and in doing so, naturally run the risk of doing wrong by others, and betraying their own morals in the process.  When such realities are so overbearing though, it is natural for these individuals to give into the reality, and create a life within it.  Whether you reality is via social contracts, including wealth or ethnicity, or through legal contracts, including working contracts, debt, etc., at some point we must surrender to something and face our own realities in it.  

In the Western World, we do most often have the freedom and the right to stray from this and choose another path.  For some their integrity holds them to it, as they consciously entered into an agreement with another party, for which they remain responsible to (i.e. leadership positions, parenthood, etc.).  Others were born into realities, and in choosing to leave, run the risk of losing the life they have now (i.e. marrying outside of a religion or race). Then there are others that are bound to commitments or realities, and in breaking it, run a serious risk to life and freedom (i.e. loans, military, etc.).   So in making these decisions, it is vital that we ask ourselves what is most important to us, what is our current reality, and if we are willing to risk treasure in the hopes of gaining more.  

Oh my friend loneliness, where have you been?

Oh my friend loneliness, where have you been?

You left to the lure of the lover who left me alone

But now you come crawling back, and I'll let you in

And we'll slip into groove that we cut in ourselves long ago.

- Frank Turner -

The 2014 theme for so many people, and it seems to be continuing into this year.  Except this time we are old pros and know how to manage it.  

Wine anyone?

Actually, I think that we were all wandering around alone, and then found each other in 2014.  So now we help each other.

And finish the wine around a fire.  

Together.  

San Francisco, CA: A long ass bike ride

We've heard of biking around a city, so we tried it out and rented bikes for the day.  

We got a good deal through our hostel, and went off for the day.

... for approx. 23 miles.... 

I had to do a lot of convincing to one of these girls, but we did it, and we biked across the Golden Gate Bridge to Saulcedo.  Then we took a Ferry back, so we didn't have to make it 46 miles.  

San Francisco, CA: Orange Village Hostel

Orange Village Hostel

411 O'Farrell St, San Francisco

http://orangevillagehostel.com/

Yet another Hostel down, and another intro to hostel living for the girls.  This one was not too shabby at all.  We had our own bathroom, which was great, and they gave us free breakfast :)

It wasn't as nice as some of the others though, but adequate enough.  

Community responsibility ya'll

Quick tour:

The was a common area, a kitchen, and lobby.
Plus, breakfast every morning, with Nutella!

San Francisco, CA: Happy New Year!

We made it to San Francisco for the New Years!

Got up early, 3:30am, walked to the Metrolink, took the Metrolink in to Los Angeles Union Station, and then caught the Megabus up to San Francisco.  The ticket for the Metro was around $10/11, and the bus $35.  Not too bad.  

We got in to San Fran around 2:00p, walked a mile to our hostel, and slept until dinner time.  Got dinner, and then just explored and celebrated New Years in San Francisco!

                        

First we headed towards Chinatown.  We walked back and forth for some time, but finally ended up finding a group that was passing out maps to one another.  So we got a map, and ended up going the Sierra Hiking Club on a night hike up to Coit Tower.  They ended up making their way through the city, but we had to part to meet up with a friend who had just made her way in.  Pretty awesome.

We met some awesome people...

We had a rough time figuring out where to stand to see the fireworks, but it all worked out in the end.  Beautiful!

And then we waited for 2014 to end...

The Finale :)

And then took a decade to make it back.  

Given the opportunity...

... And I was... Whenever I party, I am... and these two songs ring true every time.

There is always the trap:

And the aftermath:

The more and more time I spend alone, the more and more I am learning to accept it, and I carry my secrets and my experiences like I carry my bracelets and earrings with me.    As I go further into this state though, the more I am also retreating into my own little world, and am becoming severely independent.  I don't want to be apart of a community, of a church... Actually, at this moment, I am staying away from Christian organizations and the church, although I don't want to stay away from God.  I don't have it in me to fake my way through anything anymore. I would rather just keep my mouth shut.

I am not a pure girl anymore.  I am not innocent.  I am not clean.  I understand what is out there, and I have tasted the world.  I have betrayed my roots, and my foundation, and question my faith and teachings.  It has taken me a long time to come to terms with this, and now I feel like I must make a choice:  I either accept this, stop being hurt, and just live life, Pura Vida, Carpe Diem - Or - I continue trying to be a part of some community somewhere, and continue to live in the hope that it will change.

I think I will embrace my change and life, and stop waiting for others to accept it in some specified community.