The Oracle Of Aticama

A Quite Moment Early In The Morning

2012-01-20T06:26:00.000-08:00

Good Morning,

With all of the rain here my thoughts drift east to New York state and a time in the mid 70's. I was out adventuring in my ol' 56 MGA in the cold when I ran across a coffee shop near Big Pink. Bob was playing for free to a room the size of a small camper.

Here is some sweet melody. Just click here.

Salud

Speech For Our Times

2012-01-14T07:04:00.000-08:00

Good Cold Morning Movie Fans,

I read yesterday, with some humor, some sadness and mostly open eyes, the announcement by Steven Cobert that he is running for President on the GOP ticket. With biting truth he, along with Jon Stewart, strip the farce of american politics clean.

WELL NOW. I am an opinionated political person and I am concerned at the turn of events over the last year - we now live in a country where a group of 5 men have determined that corporate entities are now people. Really. A sort of rich Super People capable of social mindset manipulation via the media.

So, at the risk of alienating readers, I invite you to click HERE to view one a scene from the movie V For Vendetta. I am asking for only 5 minutes of your attention. As fate would have it, our daughter, Kawena May's nickname is V so it becomes a personal wake up call to the future we hold in our hands. Brings to mind the hollywood remarks of a witch burned at the Salem stake....

"Remember, words are the most powerful thing we humans have. By merely speaking to another we cause Love, or Hate, Pity, Anger, Joy, Remorse or Acceptance. We can bring Peace, War or compassion in a matter of seconds. Words can change how you think and see the world around you. Try it and see how strong Words are."

- Anon

Salud

The Weary Kind

2012-01-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Music Lovers,

Live Music, courtesy of Jeff Bridges. To Hear the Dude, simply click here.

Now, there is more to this guy than just fame - he really practices what he preaches. Click here to go to his website and the Ending Hunger Program. When the page comes up you have to click to enter. We can all help.

Salud

It's All Relative

2012-01-08T04:46:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Readers,

I ran across this little snippet on the Internet.

Salud

Brothers In Arms

2012-01-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

Good Morning,

In the recent news we see that President Obama, as Commander in Chief, is cutting the military budget by about 5% over the next decade. There are many who are crying that we will become weak. I do not believe that. No nation in the history of this planet has spent so very much on war, and, in some cases, the prevention of war. This is not a popular subject, as a people we would rather not think much about it. Yet, when we look around at the seeds of wrath our actions have created, we often lose sight of how far we have come. President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us that militarization of our society was inherently evil and would come at the expense of our education, infra-structure, nation's health, standing in the world, economy and soul. Would he approve of President Obama's decision? 50 years later we see that Eisenhower was right. It is not an easy thing to wake up to the truth, is it?

I realize that by posting political views I run the risk of losing readers, including my own wife, Weng. However, collectedly keeping our heads in the sand will solve nothing. To stop this evil we need only pick up the telephone, call the people we elect to represent us and tell them to change our priorities.

Sometimes it is ok to be reflective. Here is a great live performance by Mark Knophler and the London Philharmonic. Click here.

Salud

Lovely Young Voice

2012-01-06T06:22:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Music Lovers,

My wife, Weng, often tells me that my blog is too political. I tell her that all discourse is political. I often find myself removed from what is most important in life - the stirring of the soul. Maybe that's why music heals. I cannot claim to be a great critic, I dont know the classics the way I would like to. I never listened to a Michael Jackson album, yet I know that, in their own way, the music touches everyone differently. I cannot hope to find the time everyday to share a little with you the things that move me. This morning, however, I ran across this little tune, written by a guy I have never heard of - Jimmy Dillon, and sung by an unknown to me 13 year old Korean Girl named Amy Kwon.

It moves me. Click here to see if it moves you also.

Salud

A Truly Lovely Melody

2012-01-05T06:06:00.000-08:00

Good Rainy Morning,

Here is a wonderful way to start your morning, the amazing guitar work of Chet Atkins and Mark Knophler. Just click here and relax.

Salud

99% New Year's Message

2012-01-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Again Readers,

Last night marked the end of one of the most challenging years of my entire adult life. Looking back at it this morning I can say, without reservation, it is time for the decent and concerned folks living on this lovely little planet to wake up and take action while it is still possible. Those who have followed my ramblings know that I am an optimist, squeezing every drop of sunlight from the storms of ignorance that now surround us. But there is something terribly wrong with our current system that rewards greed with leisure at the expense of the overworked families of our society. You know something is messed up and I know it. What to do, you may ask? The answer is simple. You dont have to join the 99% - you are the 99%.

All you have to do is really, really think about it - where does your food come from, your fuel, your very thoughts? Look at your parents, look at your children, put yourself in the shoes of those who have no shoes and take a deep, long, thoughtful breath. Then talk to your friends. You know, we in this society are capable of making great things happen.

What is to stop us? Only you can answer that.

I wish you all a full dinner plate, clear vision, true love and sweet dreams.

Salud

Up From The Depths

2011-12-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

Just a quick Christmas well wishing. Hope you all find time to love, laugh, eat & sleep in harmony. Here is a warm and wacky tune to take you to a timeless time. Just click here, turn up the bass, dance a little and remember that music heals the soul.

Salud

Time After Time

2011-07-16T22:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Again Readers,

It has been a long time. The ups and downs of the last 6 months are far to numerous to remember let alone write about. Lets just say that it has not been boring. Mexico came and went - an amazing amount of work, love, sweat, hopes and fears with a bit of deception and betrayal thrown to keep things interesting. Maybe someday I will put it all to paper but that is not my intention right now. Right now I am busy. As you may know, I am a father to 3 amazing young children, a husband to wacky wife Weng, breadwinner, and, currently, re-builder of our home here in Oregon. That has left precious little time or money for luxury's such as blogging. An hour of self serving musing is an hour less with the family, the projects or guitar. I do feel bad that I dont have the time because I do really enjoy blogging and am envious of those, like that rascal Tioga George and others, who have nothing but time to devote to such endeavors. Some day I am sure that my pocket will have enough coin to allow me freedom to recount my day to day for all the world to see. If you like you can drop me a line at boca909@gmail.com and I will be happy to notify you when I have something new to say. Until then I would invite you to take a listen to song by Townes Van Sant and performed by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan which paints a story not unlike my own. Just click here.

Salud

The Incredible Big Fish On The Road To Aticama

2010-12-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

Hello Fellow Travelers,

As some of you may know I have been a motorhome person since the mid-70's, more than 35 years. I once hauled a 1962 Austin Healy across the USA in one.... stories upon stories,

Anyway, I have had the good fortune to meet a very nice full time RV person named George who lives in Ms. Tioga. Recently our little family set out on our yearly sojorn south to the little fishing/ancient pirate village of Aticama, Mexico in our motorhome - The Big Fish. Reading Georges shoutbox, I have decided to address some of his readers concerns about the fortitude of The Big Fish. Hence:

The Big Fish was created sometime in 1970 as a Chinook Mobile Lodge, one of a handful of these amazing class A couches to make it into production before the opec oil embargo (remember that?) damn near killed the rv industry. 26ft. long with a body of 1/4in. marine grade fiberglass laid up on two huge molds and bonded in the center with more glass than any motorhome ever built, she sports a Dodge M375 chassis with a Chrysler 413 Industrial Wedge motor and a 727A tranny with oversize torque converter. 417lbs of honest torque at 2,000 rpm, she was the reigning power monster of her day. This is a powerful machine by any standard. Built to take a load. A spicer 70 third member and Michelin LT tires can carry 30 percent overweight and we are doing just that. We roll down the road at a Cat Certified Scale weight of 16,100 lbs - 10,000 lbs on the rear axle at a blistering speed of about 40mph. She will go 70mph if you have the nerve and the pocketbook. At 40mph we get 9.675 miles to the gallon. If we go 44 mph we get only 6 miles per gallon. Fact. Over 2500 miles this translates to around $325.00 usd savings and takes about 10 hours longer. We travel with and do our road calculations with a Garmin Rino 530cx gps so you can bet my numbers are spot on. On steep grades, like the siskiu pass (highest on Interstate 5) we run up at about 15mph and down at 34mph. Never an issue with motor heat or brake fade....

Dense pack. The rig is very balanced, and, as any experienced Rv person know, is much more important than the overall weight. No space is wasted. We are carrying about 2500 lbs of food - canned, frozen and bulk grains and flowers, 22 gallons of paint, 600 pounds of tools, loads of building materials, spare parts, 7 batteries weighing a total of 575 lbs, 7 guitars, 6 computers, hundreds of pounds of concrete color, and full compliment for a family of 5 with a dog. Not to mention 2 20ft. ladders, 3 spare tires, 5 bicycles and a christmas wreath on the front. Full kitchen and bath and who knows what all else. 50 gallons of fresh water, an onboard compressor, modified 120/240 Onan genset, 100 gal. waste tanks and 70gallon fuel tank. Full side extra screen room and two cases of oil. Large propane tank and 2 large refrigerators.

A typical load for us minus a trailer. We did not have time to put that all together. Next time.....

Ok, now tired and off at first light.

Tomorrow I will post photos of The Big Fish packed and road ready..

Salud

Swimming To Aticama

2010-12-22T06:15:00.000-08:00

Flash Flood Update!

We are getting ready to shove off from the 'Bakersfield Palms' where we have had an enjoyable stay. The weather man is warning of rain heading our way - .75 to 1 inch per hour!!

Got to go before it reaches us.....

Salud

The ExtraOrdinary Strength Of The Northern Water Dragon.......On The Road To Aticama

2010-12-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Fellow La Stradaitions,

Day 6....... the rain, the rain...... The Big Fish is swimming to Mexico... really, really slow..... Weng is detailing the 'shake down'.... average speed is 11.4 mph..... a new record slow trip.... tired.... hands are aching..... billfold has taken a serious, serious, very serious beating......

sorry for the piss and moan report.... spirits are high, just tired....

molater

Salud

Thirty Years Ago

2010-12-07T22:57:00.000-08:00

Good Evening Music Fans,

Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of the day that John Lennon was shot dead with a gun in New York City. A sadness unlike any other in my life, and in many others as well. Ask anyone alive at the time where they were and what they were doing on that day and chances are they will remember.

An imperfect man with a perfect question for the ages - What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?

Rest In Peace John Lennon, you have touched us all.

Salud

Click here to hear his acoustic version of 'Watching The Wheels'

photo of lennon in Bermuda at age 39 with his son, sean

"I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong".
John Lennon

Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_lennon.html#ixzz17VJ3vuUp

A Few Trees Here, A Few Trees There

2010-11-30T16:26:00.000-08:00

From Rain Sogged Western Oregon,

After nearly 58 years gravity is uniting with cold clammy rain to pull at my bodys joints. I have made my new years resolution in advance - I intend to plant 580 fruit trees during our upcoming time in Mexico. Not all by myself of course. As soon as we arrive we begin looking for a family to live and work on our orchards. We will provide them with shelter and a fair salary. Over the next 3 years they will tend to the new trees. There is also a government program there to re-introduce native hard woods to the area. I hope to get us involved in this as well. Thinking about the pleasant work in warm climes warms me up from the inside out.

Salud

Waiting & Packing

2010-11-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

Hello Late Readers,

Well, I am getting impatient with the slow speed that our home's paperwork is making through the system. We had hoped to leave on December 3rd for Aticama, and we will make the 'pack-um-up, move-it-out-litle doggie' deadline. But it now looks like blastoff will be a week or so later. That will give some more time to work on the exterior of the house and to finish the new daylight basement. Just a delay but, man o'man, my joints are aching for tropical weather!

Salud

A Friend Passes

2010-11-28T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hello Evening Readers,

Well, we just received a phone call from Aticama and we found out that a friend died in an auto accident yesterday. His name was Alejandro Santana and he was a good friend to us. 7 years ago he was the President of Aticama and he helped us with our road issues and we have been pals ever sense. Around 80 years old, he had a romantic life for a sleepy tropical ocean village kind of guy. While he did not talk about it, and few knew about it, he was a General in the Mexican Army when he was much younger. Coming from a Peon background this was something special. He was not much to look at as we knew him - hunch backed, toothless, a few strands of hair, bony with a sad sack belly He non-the-less had a flair about him. A hard gentle soul with dark brown eyes ringed in blue cataracts. We had some fine times and I will really, really miss him. I am certain that he is sleeping with the Sirens Of Aticama.

Happy Trails, El General, Viva Mexico!!

A Late Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Leftover Eaters,

Well, due to this years very cold snap and a serious slowdown with the outside work, we decided to have our Thanksgiving a day later. Turned out to be a great idea! Weng and I went shopping at our local Winco early this morning and it was just empty. Everyone shopping at Best Buy on Black Friday.

"When you are out of the Blue and into the Black..."

This year we are roasting the turkey on the barby....

Salud

Betty's Story

2010-11-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hello Music Lovers,

In Matanchen Bay there is an organic fruit drying business named Groupo Organico. They dry a lot of organic fruit and send most of it to the USA. A good chunk of it goes to Europe also. Business is good and, last year, the owner, who we will call The Italian (who I have known for over 20 years), sold his business to a guy from Vancouver B.C.. We will call this guy The Musician. Now, this guy got his start in the fruit business long ago by hocking his beloved Fender guitar. And got it back. And hocked it again. And got it back. Now there is a little tropicrock band in the Aticama area.

Well, now. Enter Betty. Betty is an early '70s Ovation 1617 Legend hollow body electric 'silver label' guitar. She was born in Connecticut, where all of the real Ovations are born, and was raised and lived most all her life, until last summer, near a place called Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee. She was purchased new by a woman we will call Dorthy. Now, Dorthy had ambition and she could sing a thunderstorm up on a dry day. She figured that having a fine custom instrument and her long hair and long legs could give her a leg up in Nashville. Dorthy named her Betty, after her mother. Now 18 years old, a lovely springtime and no parents to tell her no, she hitched to Nashville to seek her fortune. After all, Glenn Campbell played an Ovation. And she did OK. Until she met a man named Harry Watson. He was a sweet talking drifter man who knew talent and when he saw Dorthy playing for change at Nashville Union Station he got greedy. They married that spring in 1974 and she had a baby girl in December. Harry got her a booking at the Grand Ol Opery on the same ticket as Dolly Parton. Things went well and a record deal sorta emerged from a badly drunken after show party. Good money in advance and Harry scooped it up and pissed it away with women and drugs. Appointments got missed. Dorthy started doing drugs and Betty, along with her daughter, who we will call Opel, were largly forgotton for too long a time. At 20 it was 'working girl time' and Harry just disappeared, never to be seen again. Dorthy o.d'd so close to the edge more than once but somehow found the will to move on. And she did - to Red Boiling Springs and lived in a back-to-the-lander T-pee. She was an organic farmer. Opel grew strong, went to college at NYU and became an important doctor. Dorthy picked Betty up every afternoon and played 'on the porch music' every day. No drugs, no booze. She loved her Camels though. Betty came to smell like the sweet strong smell of a fresh lit Camel. In the end, at age 57, Dorthy was found on the porch, holding Betty in her arms. She had been dead for days and her face was smiling like the first light of dawn - she had finally found the Note Of Creation, and we poor humans, can only hear that sound once. Opel found her on Saturday morning on the summer solstice. Betty was a torment and wisely put up for auction on Ebay. By now she was worn, cracked and repaired after the really cold winter of '76, her case was long forgotten and her strings were rusty wires. I was the only bidder. She arrived on the Bonny Slope in a box with her story and I strung her, and she sang like the Sirens Of Aticama.

I sure hope The Musician gives her the love she deserves.

Salud

Icy Cold Redux

2010-11-24T07:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Warm Readers,

Hoping that where ever you are you are warm, dry, well fed and rested. Yesterday we, here in Portland, had the coldest high temperature for any day in November in the last 25 years! Today may be the same. Not too much got done yesterday, and, during my trip to the market (off the Bonny Slope, down the mountain and to the valley floor, I saw zero outdoor activity of any kind - no construction workers, no homeowners in their yard, no people walking or jogging and only a few cars.

Nice. As quiet as it has been in 25 years.

Salud

ps. the photo was taken at 7:45 this morning. do you see the HMS James Bond on the left?

Big Cold

2010-11-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I hope this posting finds you warm and comfortable! An artic blast has frozen us and frozen us good! While not cold like it can be in other parts north of Mexico, it is, for us here in Oregon, very cold. Despite precautions all of our water froze solid last night - one of the tradeoffs that come with living in such a lovely little valley on the mountainside. Lovely nearly 8 months a year that is.......

It is now past 11am and the temp is about 25deg. That is cold enough for the fingers to stop working well outside with power tools. At one time I enjoyed the cold, The Struggle Of Man Over The Elements. Age brings aches in the joints and the attraction of enclosed warm spaces is nearly overwhelming. No school today because of the ice and cold. The kids are loving it. Their joints are new and fresh and strong and resistant to the cold. Tomorrow it is supposed to warm up to above freezing.

Every day the Sirens Of Aticama sing louder......

Salud

ps. the photo was taken this morning from my window

Where Is Weng?

2010-11-22T11:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers,

There have been a number of folks wondering "Where is Weng?" Well now, I can tell you that she has been busy! It has been nearly a year since she lost her AdSense google ads - a nasty virus took over her computer and did her wrong. Try and appeal and appeal but to no avail! Even Jorge (Tioga's man flesh) put in a good word. Maybe all her readers should mount a 'get Weng's AdSense back' campaign. But, I digress. This has been a VERY, VERY busy time for us!! (the busiest of our life together) The responsibilities of parenthood, working on our home here in Oregon, the long and winding road to getting our place paid off and going into big time debt, not to mention the weather, and preparing for our trip south has taken its toll. By the end of the day she is just to damn tired to deal with anything else. It takes Weng a long time to do her postings and she needs a calm center without distraction to feel good about what she has to say. I am her husband and I miss her wacky writing also!!

Keep Posted for more info.

Salud

Blue Moon In December

2010-11-21T23:04:00.000-08:00

Hello Snowy Readers,

Yup, today we had snow. For a while. Then we had mud, again. Now, here is something cool - my birthday falls on December 21. That will give me a Blue Moon Over Aticama - who could ask for a better gift?

Salud

Adventures With The Big Fish

2010-11-20T10:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers & Fellow Travelers,

It is possible that some of you long time Rv's remember the Mighty Dodge 413 Industrial V-8 that powered the premier Motorhomes of the '60s and early '70's. Considered by 'Old Iron Guys' to be the most beasty powerful and lumbering of torque monster ever produced by the hand of man. With a massive 407 real pounds of torque at 2000 rpm, no other Atomic Age Land Whale could come close to its fearsome lifting force. Move 9 1/2 tons of rig and stuff - no problem. Serious machines.

And the Big Fish swims with this bad boy 413 as it's heart. Today, perhaps if all goes well, I will button down the mechanicals and we will begin 'The Load In'. Against long shot odds we work facing south - snow is coming the first of the week and that makes a difference....

Salud

Stress

2010-11-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

Good Evening Readers,

We'd all like to think that a palm tree and ocean breeze, sweaty beverage and the sound of happy children playing was something waiting for us all at the end of a hard day.

Others may feel the same about a remote cabin in the woods, a corner view on the 60th floor or an endless corn maze in an Iowa flatland.

The point is this: We Are Only Going Around In These Walking Bones one time. In Old Mexico they still say that tomorrow doesn't exist. The lifestyle example being one of living as happy under the heavens as possible without having to dwell on your future needs. Having a debt free or nearly debt free life is the foundation for life without worry. Many of you readers surfed in through Jorge's site and I expect you understand what I am talking about. Other readers will, I hope, remain befuddled by my stress fueled ramblings.

You see; when I get home at the end of a long day I know that there is a Palm Tree Siren singing to me - melodic tunes of warm enchanting people and places. Sometimes the music overwhelms me with soulful contentment soo intensely that the world around my body grows grey with longing. I have become jaded. The compulsion to live the dream of Ratso Rizo ('Midnight Cowboy') is seductive to all mankind...

"Live Where The Weather Suits Your Clothes'

Salud