on October 21, 2007 the first of over a dozen wildfires across Southern California broke out - forcing the evacuation of over 265,000 residents. this evacuation comes almost four years to the day after the '03 Cedar Fire.

current stats: at least two people have been killed, at least 200,000 acres of land were burned near San Diego County alone, fires burned in Malibu, Lake Arrowhead, Irvine, and the hardest hit all of San Diego county. CA governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange, Poway, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties as a result.

(note: there are more pics on my MySpace page-so that have been passed around and some i personally took).

hugz to all FIREMEN/WOMEN...you rock!!!!

peace.
Steff

there is a change in me that has been brewing for sometime and the past few weeks all has been kicked into gear. (plus, of course it is Fall and also 2007 = 9 = completion of cycles :)

losing Salem was a catalyst for the latest shove from the Gods i feel.

i have always loved Octobre, but this year, it just feels better. life thus far has been an interesting ride...and i have rested in btw the ebbs & flows, but now i am just not resisting the unavoidable. letting life flow without trying to put the breaks on my progress.

it's about fucking time :)

i have been blessed as of late, primarily the last 18mths, to have met or reestablished AMAZING friendships with some truly amazing people.

when another human being just 'gets' you and all your quirkiness and still says 'right on'...no judgements, unconditional love, outrageous humour and stimulating mental masturbation - wow! that equals great friendships to me ;)



in the essence of my being i am free will, free choice and free love (ok, i'll expand upon that one later - hehe ;) but my pointe being that i find that appreciating anothers' choices in their lives and not forcing upon them to be something that OUR mind creates FOR them is the basis of quality relationships in life. i have found that allowing others, myself included of course, to reveal their true self on their own time (yet exponentially) is such an invigorating parte of getting to know another person.

we all have opinions (hello? me :) but i bask in the light of those who i consider my friends (aka: mi familia por la elección/my family by choice). these people assist me in growing as a woman and not judging me when there is no mask upon my flaws.



forever i am blessed and forever i will value those who are presently in my life (y'all know who y'all are: Banana, Morning Glory, JU/RPD, RinW and 6970)...you are helping me be me, and for that i am forever grateful. grazie.