My Blog

Bats In The Wind - Video

halcyonpink — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:56:07 GMT

When I got back from Burning Man, tons of people said, ‘I heard you guys had a doozy of a dust storm.’ As if Burning Man was ruined. HUH!? After 11 burns, I LOVE dust storms. They are esssential for people to reach the level of surrender necessary for people to evolve. You cannot transform while you hold on to your old patterns. Saying that “Dust Disturbs Burning Man” (as the NY Times Headline said) is like saying “Frosting Disturbs Cupcakes.” This is a music video homage to the spirit of my camp mates at Bat Country. As well as the root spiritual perspective that governs my life. http://www.lifestudent.com/hub/2008/09/09/bats-in-the-wind/

The Journey

halcyonpink — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:58:48 GMT

I leave on Saturday for my 11th Burning Man. But for me, the pilgrimage began 2 months ago. The preparation weeks are bliss for me. It’s like I have a Pavlovian response…and I start to CREATE. Ideas fly thorough my head. Everything looks like a part of a sculpture or costume. My world becomes a fury of paint/glue/fabric/cut/spray/glue/sweat/& love. My apartment becomes a studio. The foam-cutting knife does not get put away after use. Nor does the glue gun. Pink fur scraps infest my apartment…like some Fraggle virus. And the artistic projects fill the house at an incredible rate. During the pre-burn season I give myself permission to embrace a “Cut first – Measure later” design philosophy. I let it ‘float more.’ And the stream brings such delights! This year I’ve been inspired to create (with my mom & girlfriend’s help): • A sticker design (chosen as the official gate sticker this year. Gifted to EVERY participant.) • rubber stamp designs (x3) • Art Bike (“All Hail Snuffleoctopus!”) • Goggle-head-dresses (x2) • Stencils (2) • Tons of customized clothing, • and now we’re working on decorating a Lounge on the Esplanade! Plus I have 3 responsibilities for during the week. 1) Bike Ride – Wed. 12:00 noon @ Bat Country 9:30 & Espl. 2) HugNation – Sat. 12:00 noon Center Camp, spoken word stage. 3) And I also act as a Courier. By “Courier” I mean that I bring things to the Playa for people. I extend the offer every year on my blog that I’m happy to bring something on anyone’s behalf. Sometimes it’s a picture to print out. Or old letters. Letting go of an expectation or a regret. This year a beautiful young woman sent me ashes of her child. And a letter of celebration. Celebrating the miracle of the brief life. She had named her child after Grandpa Caleb. But he was very premature. Now Baby Caleb’s ashes are making the same journey as his namesake. Heavy… But I can’t help but think that from the perspective of the Cosmic Dance…it is beautiful. We are born. We live. We die. We are loved. We love. The number of breaths we take does not determine the worth of our lives. Rather, it is the purity of the journey. So this year’s Burning Man Journey is infused with not only a narcotic creative frenzy, but also a depth. And a renewed appreciation of the Journey itself. *** If you are going to Burning Man, I will be camped at 9:30 and Esplanade. No amount of planning can force encounters to happen, but if our journeys do cross paths, please say hello! I’d love to share a magic moment.

a peek at the playa

halcyonpink — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:50:01 GMT

fast forward to the playa... 2 weeks from now. It will be exactly like THIS: http://tinyurl.com/5zqngu

My Playa Address & Schedule (9:30 Esplanade)

halcyonpink — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:02:11 GMT

Bat Country will be at 9:30 Esplanade. I will be hosting a bike ride on WED at noon. AND a HugNation at center camp on SAT at noon.

Happy Independence!

halcyonpink — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:43:33 GMT

The BM theme and the current political wind has me patriotically charged this week! I made a bunch of special photos (like the one posted here) and put them in a photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/halcyon/sets/72157605934758359/ including 90 seconds about the theme "American Dream" http://www.flickr.com/photos/halcyon/2613665907/in/set-72157605934758359/ HAPPY 4th of July!

Amma, the hugging saint in LA

halcyonpink — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:49:03 GMT

Amma, the hugging saint (and the only other person in the world doing hug tours that I know of), will be in LA tomorrow at the airport Hilton! Andicat and I are driving up early to get there by 9. Unfortunately, they do not have parking for Huggy, so the Hugmobile has to stay home. :( If anyone is going, look for the pink hair and say hello! http://amma.org http://hugmobile.com

I'm giving a talk tomorrow (Sat. 4pm) in San DIego!

halcyonpink — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:50:43 GMT

I am giving a talk/workshop tomorrow at 4pm in San Diego!!! 'HugNation, Grandpa Caleb, & the Belief Buffet Cookbook." There are still spots left, so come down for some Grandpa stories, positivity and hugs. details: http://personalgrowth.meetup.com/214/calendar/7733114/

Lightning In A Bottle Vids & pics

halcyonpink — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:29:29 GMT

WHAT FUN!!!! wowza. I posted 2 edited vids (90 seconds each): http://www.lifestudent.com/hub/category/burning-man/ and put up some pics, too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/halcyon/sets/72157605285538092/ To all I hugged there, THANK YOU for the magic & love! (I also celebrated my bday...so thanks for the pinata, too!)

LiB

halcyonpink — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:21:11 GMT

Heading to Lightning In A Bottle tomorow. Yay! Planning on hosting a hug nation hug sat at 1pm. Hope to hug you there! video from last year: http://www.lifestudent.com/hub/2008/04/24/lightning-in-a-bottle/

Oprah, Eckhart, and me

halcyonpink — Wed, 14 May 2008 22:29:36 GMT

a 5 minute clip from yesterday's HugNation where I get excited about a New Earth Consciousness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AikKYvnLDOg

floating towards we

halcyonpink — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:18:42 GMT

I have been floating for most of 2008. And although I did feel some anxiety without direction, I did better with the uncertainty than I ever have before. Normally, in the absence of a strong beacon off in the future, I am tempted to go down well-worn mental roads towards despair. “My best is behind me.” “I’m not good enough.” “I lack purpose.” But this year, the temptation to backslide was not so strong. Partially because I remembered that, a year before, I felt lost, too. Then the HugMobile idea hit. And the divine unfolding of that adventure was the most dramatic demonstration of serendipity and universal flow I’ve ever experienced. So, at least, intellectually, I know that patience and stillness can yield magical fruits. But I was still tempted to skip SXSW this year because I felt unworthy. “I’m no longer on the digital frontier. I no longer lead.” But I remembered the feelings of a year before. So I summoned the courage to be meek. And I tried to focus on listening. (Well, I tried.) And while I may have missed the meek mark, I did find significant inspiration at SXSW. I got some clarity for a presentation/one man show/tent-revival. I started to brainstorm a traveling multimedia love revolution. And just like that, a new north star was shining in my spiritual sky. A light to paddle towards as I work to re-find the cosmic current. Alas, as soon as I got home, I got offered a huge corporate video gig. Huge for me, at least. Enough for me to justify ordering equipment and hiring staff. The project was well outside my comfort zone. But obviously a great opportunity for me. What to do? Turn down the gig and paddle towards the North Star? I decided to take the job. Why? It felt right. It felt, not like a diversion, but a training. Kinda like the old joke about the man on the roof during a flood. He turns down rescue boat after rescue boat that comes to save him, saying, “No thank you. God will save me.” The water rises and rises. And eventually he dies. At the pearly gates God says, “What the hell is wrong with you!? I sent you 3 boats!!” I see this project as a raft. Even if it doesn’t carry me to my final destination, it prepares me for the journey. Don’t get me wrong. I love my current situation of doing everything myself. And I think I’ve managed to produce some pretty good stuff for a self-trained dabbler. But if I could learn how to utilize and manage resources to create truly professional products, that could be incredible! Stressful and scary…but incredible. I had a pre-production meeting today with my Videographer /assistant editor. I’ve never been to a pre-production meeting. I’ve never had a videographer. I was quickly submerged in a world of equipment, guidelines, and technology that I had never been exposed to before. Part of me was terrified. Another part of me was thrilled. I don’t *have* to learn how to use all these things. I don’t have to remember all these guidelines. I just have to learn how to manage talented people. Vision + Money + talented people = MASSIVE POTENTIAL This may seem common sense to you. And intellectually, it is to me, too. But it feels different to me now. I have a different courage and confidence. I can do this. With help. And if I can do this with help… that means “we” can do a whole lot more. Turning the “Me” into “We” seems to be a common theme for me lately. Spiritually, creatively, and professionally. So even though I am paddling hard right now, it doesn’t feel like it is against the current. Maybe because it doesn’t feel like I’m doing it alone.

Do you watch "LOST"?

halcyonpink — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:04:22 GMT

Over the weekend, Andicat and I discovered this Little known Dharma Initiative training video that explains the Pornographic intentions of the Hanso Foundation. (Includes sample clip from LOST Porn movie, “Arctic Heart, Tropic Loins”) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLRYgvfsxVg

Hugs & The Dalai Lama

halcyonpink — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:22:38 GMT

This week I’ve been reading The Dalai Lama’s “Art of Happiness.” I love it, of course. And it has given me much to think about. This week’s Belief Buffet is about “Human Goodness.” Is in inherent? Or our quest? And how that relates to fighting toddlers and Microsoft/Yahoo. :) (We even had a "visit" from the Dalai Lama while filming.) Come to HugNation today (tues) from 1-2 and let’s talk about it! HugNation Hug shortly after 1.) http://hugnation.spotman.net/lounge/ My video about Human Goodness and The Dalai Lama: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-v1A9G0qbVA

I am the Octopus Whisperer

halcyonpink — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:11:16 GMT

I saw the tentacle arms in a BoingBoing post and HAD to have them. Especially since I had such an amazing octopus encounter last month.

Grandpa visited me

halcyonpink — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:19:39 GMT

2 hours ago I got a call from a close friend. We talked of the death of a friend. We talked of after life. I talked about how I feel Grandpa’s presence…but in a non-physical way. More of a general sense of closeness. Like how I can sense I am close to the sea. But as I write this, 2 hours later… things have changed. An hour ago Andicat scanned the local Venice paper to show me the PICTURE OF HUGGY in today’s issue! (Article is not about Huggy) (And three extra cheers for Andicat who just successfully repaired Huggy’s batteries and brought our pink carriage back to life!!!) At that time I didn’t make the connection between the conversation and the picture. (*His ashes are mixed into the paint of those wings.) Hours later while online, I followed a link to a cool-ass 60-second “Best in Web Video” compilation on youtube. And as I was getting pumped up by the video, I SAW ME AND GRANDPA! Ha ha! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq575O6ABNA within 2 hours of saying that I don’t feel his otherworldly presence in my life I get a picture of his ashes presented to me and then his image LITERALLY flashes before my eyes. (then again, maybe Grandpa is just becoming like the new Andre The Giant and it’s not just me seeing him everywhere.) The idea stretches my belief system a bit. I don’t know what it means, but I feel good.

Grandpas New Year Blesing

halcyonpink — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:39:12 GMT

This was recorded a few years ago. But I love that his wisdom and love remains a part of my life. http://www.lifestudent.com/hub/2007/12/28/grandpas-new-year-blessing/

12 days of xmas

halcyonpink — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:22:20 GMT

...is ending at http://www.eggnography.com check out all the sugar plum goodness! Also, new videos (now called "Belief Buffet") up at HugNation.com/blog

My 11 Year Anniversary

halcyonpink — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:52:58 GMT

I bought my first domain name, Prehensile.com, 11 years ago today. From the first time I experienced the web, I felt it had a power beyond it’s technology. I knew it could impact, not just how we lived our lives, but how we see our fellow humans. I dreamed that it could be a used as a tool to connect people. To spread smiles. To share love. Over the last decade, I’ve tried lots of things with the crazy new technology. Learned worlds. Met heroes. Pushed boundaries. Ruffled feathers. Bared soul. And while we are still in the infancy of this massive shift in consciousness, I feel proud and honored to have been a part of the unfolding. Hopefully my pink light of love has made a positive difference…and will continue to shine into the unknown future. THANK YOU for being a part of my journey and a part of this magical shift. Love, John Halcyon

Eggnography!!! My 12 days of Xmas

halcyonpink — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 19:41:57 GMT

Woo-hooo!!! Check out http://www.eggnography.com/12 for 12 bits of holiday silliness from me and my wacky family. (plus get a free gift)

HugNation Nov 27 - Dont' Pester The Monks!

halcyonpink — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:45:22 GMT

Today's Hug Story was about learning compassion and forgiveness. http://youtube.com/watch?v=W8_JTAyAkfI

Personal Pulpits - HugNation 11.20.07 (Video)

halcyonpink — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:56:27 GMT

VIDEO IS HERE: http://www.hugnation.com/blog/?p=14 Rev. Doug was honored for 50 years in the ministry. When he spoke to the congregation he said, “You are all ministers” I knew exactly what he meant. While there may be schooling required for human organizations, that is not needed to walk the walk. Someone who becomes a minister doesn’t need the qualification of enlightenment, just of intention. The intention of living according to certain ideals and sharing those beliefs. Our path and our words speak our sermons whether we like it or not. Nowhere is that more obvious than with children. Which is why every parent is charged with a parish. The flock may be small, but it is still a huge task. But the same is true with everyone we encounter. Even professionally. Even at the mall, in a restaurant, in a bar. How do you interact with people? Do you gift them respect? Do you listen? Do you speak honestly? I realize that those goals may not be a part of your job… but COULD they be? A smile in the hall. A thank you. A half a bagel. A sincere question about their kid’s baseball game? Embracing the people around you (metaphorically) with warmth. ** Im not talking about being preachy. I’m talking about being aware that your path IS your message. So choosing to make that message one of integrity and love. It takes almost no more effort to do so….just a shift in your focus. You may not get thanked for it, but it does make a difference. Being a minister isn’t a role that occurs in churches while wearing a uniform. It is an inherent part of being a human. Every interaction is an exchange of energy on some level. Every interaction has the potential to be infused with love. Every time you smile at someone. Every time you listen. Every time you acknowledge someone, you are acting as “clergy.” The only question is, what message will you preach?

"Ocean Vagina" (aka The Greatest Love Song Ever Written)

halcyonpink — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:31:49 GMT

I may have written the catchiest (and most morally questionable) love song EVER. I don't want to jump the gun, but this may be my crowning achievement. Parents watch first before showing to children. Your morality may vary. http://www.lifestudent.com/hub/2007/11/12/tidepool-delight/

New HUGNATION TRIBE!!! (plus hug today)

halcyonpink — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:09:05 GMT

I’m excited about today’s HugNation! THEME= “Do The Right Thing!” I hope you can join us live, or check the archive! ::::: http://hugnation.spotman.net/lounge/ ALSO, New in The ‘Nation: The HugNation.com has been overhauled. Now you can see the latest Video and news at ::::: http://www.hugnation.com/blog/ AND, there is now a FLICKR group you can join and add your own HUG photos! ::::: http://flickr.com/groups/522414@N24/ AND a TRIBE.net tribe ::::: http://tribes.tribe.net/hugnation And an RSS feed: feed://http//www.hugnation.com/blog/?feed=rss2 LOVE YOU! ((HUG))

SD Decom video

halcyonpink — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:37:36 GMT

The Hugmobile, the lustmonkeys, and Bat Country put up the dome, ate great food and got gonzo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8clgt6J_H_Q The image is from the hilarious Onion spoof, "The Shroom" that was distributed at decom.

HugNation as a fire refugee

halcyonpink — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:25:52 GMT

I fled Solana Beach during optional evacuations and did HugNation from a friend's in Venice Beach. I was scatter brained, but you could feel the love. Video: http://www.lifestudent.com/hub/2007/10/23/hugnation-oct-23-video/