Welcome to Oregon and Portland, your home for now.
"But what if home is less a location and more a moment?
What if being home is a time inquiry, not a space one?
You are home right now.
Always, right now."
In 1985 I visited Portland, flying there from Chicago. Upon our descent, the Pilot announced that when we arrive it will be 1959 (pilots are trained in military time). After seeing the city for a few days, I tended to more closely align with the pilot's offering of a date stamp vs. a time stamp.
To me, Home is a dream lived in, as you call it, a "meat suit" worn for a specific period of time.
It for many could also be a hope, a feeling, an emotional experience, a social construct.
And for many, home is where your heart is.
Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for approximately 165 million years, appearing around 230 to 251 million years ago and going extinct about 66 million years ago. In stark contrast, modern humans (Homo sapiens) have existed for only about 200,000 to 300,000 years, making the dinosaur reign roughly 550 times longer than human existence.
If one chooses to look at the 'timing' of human history, it is (relatively speaking) short, complex and not always 'pretty' (might explain how Dinosaurs lived so long).
Even Oregon has one.
Oregon, a state of 96,000 square miles with 3 distinct climates (costal, marine interior, and high desert plateau (it can snow as late as April).
Included in its history is the glacial carving of the Columbia River basin from 15 to 20k years ago, allowing one to witness cascading waterfalls careening off the sides of massive cliffs, like the over 600 foot high Multnomah Falls, the most visited tourist attraction in Oregon, right along Hwy I-84, as one heads east out of Portland towards Bonneville Dam.
Oregon's researched and recorded history spans over 15,000 years, beginning with Paleo-Indians who inhabited the region, with the earliest physical evidence found at Fort Rock Cave dating back 13,200 years.
By 8000 B.C., settlements were established throughout the state, particularly along the Columbia River and coastal areas, home to diverse Native American groups like the Chinook, Klamath, and Nez Perce.
European exploration began in the 16th century, with Spanish ships reaching the coast and British fur traders, notably from the Hudson's Bay Company, establishing Fort Vancouver in 1825 as a regional hub.
Oregon Territory was officially formed in 1848, and after years of settlement encouraged by the Donation Land Claim Act, Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859 (Valentine's Day, the irony).
Oregon's history, unfortunately attracted dark clouds overhead, especially as it pertained to people of color, which was defined by systematic exclusion and resilience, as the region was explicitly designed as a "white utopian homeland."
Before statehood in 1859, the provisional government passed the "Lash Law," which mandated that free Black people be publicly whipped every six months until they left the territory, a punishment later replaced by forced labor.
Oregon became the only state admitted to the Union with a constitutional clause prohibiting Black people from living, working, or owning property, a ban that remained in effect until 1926.
Asian and Hawaiian (Kanaka) residents also faced severe discrimination, including a $5 tax and forced labor requirements, while Native American communities were displaced (aka: genocided) from their lands to make way for white settlers.
Moving to "Time" as a construct,
"Those who’ve experienced psilocybin know this intimately. Time stretches, collapses, folds.
You can feel like you’re in several places at once, and it may feel like a glitch."
It's been well rumored, to the point of almost certain truth, that the use of psybicilin (LSD/microdosing/adderall/etc.) was part of the evolution of binary code technology, freeing the mind to turn off the 'noise of life' and laser focus on the problem solving issue in front of them.
Your comment:
"Lately, my experience of time has been genuinely strange. Over the last few years, I feel everything accelerating... so much happening in a single day that time just flies. And then I look back at the last six years and it feels like two decades. One year feels like ten. The compression and the expansion seem to be happening simultaneously, and I don’t think I’m alone in that."
To me, you represent a sort of "corsair", a traveling deliverer of hope, truth, integrity, pursuit of sovereignty and personal growth.
It's only going faster in my opinion, because you're picking the speed at which you travel, as well as the pace which you choose to take in and absorb your surroundings.
Enjoying your meditative moments in Bali and those forever hugs given to you by your son during time spent together, potentially could have almost stopped time completely.
For this short time that we're here, I'd say you're right at home, right here at: "YOU'RE THE VOICE".
Thanks for making that your home.
A place we can visit, like hanging out in the kitchen of Grandma's house, where everything is going to be intelligent, therapeutic, upbeat and comforting (and sometimes discomforting for good reason).
PS: Since music sometimes catches your attention, here's the official audio version of Chicago Transit Authority's "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?" released well before you were even a baby, 1969.
Thank you as always G! so enoying to read you. you should open your own substack and opine on the world! it would be of great value to people. Enjoying the music!
PSS: Since you've enjoyed this post, more thoughts on other 'corners' of Oregon that have less population but no less interest/history.
The largest city in Oregon located east of the Cascade Mountains is Bend, with a population of approximately 100,430 to 104,557 depending on the source. US government positioned Camp Abbot, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers training center located on the Deschutes River several miles south of Bend. It was active from March 1943 to June 1944 during World War II. It was the only combat engineer replacement and training center in the Western United States, training over 90,000 combat engineers. Today its remains (The Great Hall) are part of one of Central Oregon’s most popular resorts, Sunriver.
Situated in the high desert of Central Oregon, Bend serves as the primary hub for the region and lies within the Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills ecoregion in the arid rain shadow region of the state (normally less than 15" per year of annual rainfall, vs. 40" in the Portland area and over 75" on the Coast).
Bend (named after the 'bend' in the local river, (allowing “Oregon Trail” pioneers easier crossing due a river's slower/safer flow rate in a bend) is the main city in central Oregon, known for its volcanic rock formations, and the Deschutes River (French for "The Falls", named by European fur traders) that flows north, draining into the Columbia River.
The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills region, where Bend is located, is characterized by ponderosa pine forests and volcanic plateaus.
It is considered the "sunny face of Central Oregon" and a popular destination for year-round active recreation/work=life balance (hiking, river rafting, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, golf, tennis, fly fishing, bird hunting, etc.), including skiing at Mt. Bachelor (interestingly named for the 'standalone' mountain just east of the "Three Sisters".
All of these features have created over the last 40 years a 'resort lifestyle', right along with scenic views, antiques shopping, retirement living and lots of micro-breweries thriving in the area. Residents of the area would probably love passive investment opportunities, one that creates sovereign wealth without restricting their active recreational/retired lifestyle(s).
One never knows who might be heading that way next. LOL
This is SO good, Efrat! You always make me think deeper. Whether it’s in an interview with a guest or in an article like this. I was at Bitcoin Park in Nashville 2 weeks ago, heading to the Vegas Bitcoin conference in 2 weeks and am literally sitting on the ferry back from Isla Mujeres, MX after a week down here as I write this, so I can relate to everything you explained here. You are spot on and I am going to make a conscious effort to adopt this perspective in my daily life! 🙏🧡
Welcome to Oregon and Portland, your home for now.
"But what if home is less a location and more a moment?
What if being home is a time inquiry, not a space one?
You are home right now.
Always, right now."
In 1985 I visited Portland, flying there from Chicago. Upon our descent, the Pilot announced that when we arrive it will be 1959 (pilots are trained in military time). After seeing the city for a few days, I tended to more closely align with the pilot's offering of a date stamp vs. a time stamp.
To me, Home is a dream lived in, as you call it, a "meat suit" worn for a specific period of time.
It for many could also be a hope, a feeling, an emotional experience, a social construct.
And for many, home is where your heart is.
Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for approximately 165 million years, appearing around 230 to 251 million years ago and going extinct about 66 million years ago. In stark contrast, modern humans (Homo sapiens) have existed for only about 200,000 to 300,000 years, making the dinosaur reign roughly 550 times longer than human existence.
If one chooses to look at the 'timing' of human history, it is (relatively speaking) short, complex and not always 'pretty' (might explain how Dinosaurs lived so long).
Even Oregon has one.
Oregon, a state of 96,000 square miles with 3 distinct climates (costal, marine interior, and high desert plateau (it can snow as late as April).
Included in its history is the glacial carving of the Columbia River basin from 15 to 20k years ago, allowing one to witness cascading waterfalls careening off the sides of massive cliffs, like the over 600 foot high Multnomah Falls, the most visited tourist attraction in Oregon, right along Hwy I-84, as one heads east out of Portland towards Bonneville Dam.
Oregon's researched and recorded history spans over 15,000 years, beginning with Paleo-Indians who inhabited the region, with the earliest physical evidence found at Fort Rock Cave dating back 13,200 years.
By 8000 B.C., settlements were established throughout the state, particularly along the Columbia River and coastal areas, home to diverse Native American groups like the Chinook, Klamath, and Nez Perce.
European exploration began in the 16th century, with Spanish ships reaching the coast and British fur traders, notably from the Hudson's Bay Company, establishing Fort Vancouver in 1825 as a regional hub.
Oregon Territory was officially formed in 1848, and after years of settlement encouraged by the Donation Land Claim Act, Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859 (Valentine's Day, the irony).
Oregon's history, unfortunately attracted dark clouds overhead, especially as it pertained to people of color, which was defined by systematic exclusion and resilience, as the region was explicitly designed as a "white utopian homeland."
Before statehood in 1859, the provisional government passed the "Lash Law," which mandated that free Black people be publicly whipped every six months until they left the territory, a punishment later replaced by forced labor.
Oregon became the only state admitted to the Union with a constitutional clause prohibiting Black people from living, working, or owning property, a ban that remained in effect until 1926.
Asian and Hawaiian (Kanaka) residents also faced severe discrimination, including a $5 tax and forced labor requirements, while Native American communities were displaced (aka: genocided) from their lands to make way for white settlers.
Moving to "Time" as a construct,
"Those who’ve experienced psilocybin know this intimately. Time stretches, collapses, folds.
You can feel like you’re in several places at once, and it may feel like a glitch."
It's been well rumored, to the point of almost certain truth, that the use of psybicilin (LSD/microdosing/adderall/etc.) was part of the evolution of binary code technology, freeing the mind to turn off the 'noise of life' and laser focus on the problem solving issue in front of them.
Your comment:
"Lately, my experience of time has been genuinely strange. Over the last few years, I feel everything accelerating... so much happening in a single day that time just flies. And then I look back at the last six years and it feels like two decades. One year feels like ten. The compression and the expansion seem to be happening simultaneously, and I don’t think I’m alone in that."
To me, you represent a sort of "corsair", a traveling deliverer of hope, truth, integrity, pursuit of sovereignty and personal growth.
It's only going faster in my opinion, because you're picking the speed at which you travel, as well as the pace which you choose to take in and absorb your surroundings.
Enjoying your meditative moments in Bali and those forever hugs given to you by your son during time spent together, potentially could have almost stopped time completely.
For this short time that we're here, I'd say you're right at home, right here at: "YOU'RE THE VOICE".
Thanks for making that your home.
A place we can visit, like hanging out in the kitchen of Grandma's house, where everything is going to be intelligent, therapeutic, upbeat and comforting (and sometimes discomforting for good reason).
PS: Since music sometimes catches your attention, here's the official audio version of Chicago Transit Authority's "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?" released well before you were even a baby, 1969.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FzCWLOHUes&list=RD9FzCWLOHUes&start_radio=1
Blessings
Thank you as always G! so enoying to read you. you should open your own substack and opine on the world! it would be of great value to people. Enjoying the music!
I prefer putting the 'wind under the wings' of those that are thriving and helping promote the expanding of their reach.
I also might have borrowed some of the context of my comments from another Substacker.
https://alexiagarcia.substack.com/p/football-jamon-and-the-politics-of
Note: Apples might fall nearby.
PSS: Since you've enjoyed this post, more thoughts on other 'corners' of Oregon that have less population but no less interest/history.
The largest city in Oregon located east of the Cascade Mountains is Bend, with a population of approximately 100,430 to 104,557 depending on the source. US government positioned Camp Abbot, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers training center located on the Deschutes River several miles south of Bend. It was active from March 1943 to June 1944 during World War II. It was the only combat engineer replacement and training center in the Western United States, training over 90,000 combat engineers. Today its remains (The Great Hall) are part of one of Central Oregon’s most popular resorts, Sunriver.
Situated in the high desert of Central Oregon, Bend serves as the primary hub for the region and lies within the Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills ecoregion in the arid rain shadow region of the state (normally less than 15" per year of annual rainfall, vs. 40" in the Portland area and over 75" on the Coast).
Bend (named after the 'bend' in the local river, (allowing “Oregon Trail” pioneers easier crossing due a river's slower/safer flow rate in a bend) is the main city in central Oregon, known for its volcanic rock formations, and the Deschutes River (French for "The Falls", named by European fur traders) that flows north, draining into the Columbia River.
The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills region, where Bend is located, is characterized by ponderosa pine forests and volcanic plateaus.
It is considered the "sunny face of Central Oregon" and a popular destination for year-round active recreation/work=life balance (hiking, river rafting, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, golf, tennis, fly fishing, bird hunting, etc.), including skiing at Mt. Bachelor (interestingly named for the 'standalone' mountain just east of the "Three Sisters".
All of these features have created over the last 40 years a 'resort lifestyle', right along with scenic views, antiques shopping, retirement living and lots of micro-breweries thriving in the area. Residents of the area would probably love passive investment opportunities, one that creates sovereign wealth without restricting their active recreational/retired lifestyle(s).
One never knows who might be heading that way next. LOL
This is SO good, Efrat! You always make me think deeper. Whether it’s in an interview with a guest or in an article like this. I was at Bitcoin Park in Nashville 2 weeks ago, heading to the Vegas Bitcoin conference in 2 weeks and am literally sitting on the ferry back from Isla Mujeres, MX after a week down here as I write this, so I can relate to everything you explained here. You are spot on and I am going to make a conscious effort to adopt this perspective in my daily life! 🙏🧡
love it larry! question everything :)
Beautiful examples. Very true!