scraps of paper and nothing but time.

looking up - kearney and union - sf, ca

i've become acquainted with a young homeless guy in my neighborhood. brian writes poetry and posts up around the city with a cardboard sign that reads, "adopt me ladies, i'll be your pet poet." but in real life he's not that cheesy. to the contrary. he's so bright and grounded and on a feel level with the city that i've never known. it's my nature to worry about things that don't feel right. so i do, about him. i've asked if he feels safe. i've asked if he's warm enough and if he is happy. yes. yes. and yes. really? yes.

like a tree without its leaves.

after the fall - palmer street - napa, ca

here's to letting your guard down. the only person truly holding you back is yourself.

looks like you're the one who can learn a thing or two.

home sweet - napa, ca

i met an absolutely wretched person today--selfish and pretentious and full of money-driven philosophies about happiness. and you know what? while sitting there, staring at him and his lion-sized mouth, my mind went one place. and that was home. because i knew that he had never known the sort of contentment that is had from having a single place that works without work--a single unit that has a groove of its own. and it's not about perfection or things or being the acceptable version of yourself there.

you can just be.

so i kept nodding. and all i wanted to say was, "you're completely full of shit." mostly because i know a thing or two about what it means to intently pursue a good life--and the biggest part (or so i've gathered so far) is being able to think and act beyond the borders of your own betterment. what a sad day it'd be to find yourself at sixty-something without a clue.

watch it stack. white on black.

chair for me, chair for you - modernist expo - sf, ca

jay-z's music videos are worth keeping on your radar. his latest might be my favorite yet. just do your best not to pass out--the visual splendor has the potential to overwhelm.

health and wealth and the smallest special things.

paperwhite cave - oxbow school - napa, ca

the feeling of a new year is a great one. and this is the first time i feel like i can pursue all of my resolutions with a clean-slate calm. welcome, 2010.