100' clearance

What's 100 feet worth?
Your personal space, your life. Your sacred ground.
No trees? No nature in my backyard....
What about my privacy?

Exposed.
Should we renegociate this distance based on our rural surroundings?
Due to the limited post office hours? Due to your fragile mind.

Yes, 100 feet of clearance is now California State Law.

Defensible Space

Allow me to introduce myself
I am Dana, lil Missy Mite
Don't knock too much
Or I'll put up a fight

Big fire coming over the hill
So what, just come overn chill
Evacuate please, go, run, hurry, scurry

Nope! It's over 4 miles away.
We have information.
Countn on high speed & satellites.
And all the delights

Defensible space
Breathing room
it's what I like



Just say no to rabbit-brush

Cruel

so don't give me respect
don't give me a piece of your preciousness
flaunt all she's got in our old neighborhood
I'm sure she'll make a few friends

even the rain bows down let us pray
as you cock cock cock your mane

no cigarettes only peeled HAVANAS for you

I can be cruel

I don't know why

Why can't my balloon stay up
in a perfectly windy sky

I can be cruel
I don't know why


dance with the Sufi's
celebrate your top ten in the charts of pain

lover brother bogenvilla
my vine twists around your need
even the rain is sharp like today as you sh-sh-shock me sane

no cigarettes only peeled HAVANAS for you

I can be cruel
I don't know why

Why can't my balloon stay up
in a perfectly windy sky
I can be cruel
I don't know why


lyrics by --- Tori Amos

Dance with the Tiger

In every woman and man lies the seed of the fear
Of just how alone are all who live here
Denying the fear is the name of the game
To stare at the fear is going insane
Forgiving the fear is one up on Cane
Is to dance with the tiger
And laugh at the rain

Don't give me your life, I have one of my own
It was a brilliant idea inventing the home
Creatures of habit, American fools
Reaching for stars while we're standing on stools

Letting it go is jumping the train
Is to dance with the tiger
Letting it go though we won't be the same
Is to dance with the tiger
Letting it go is the name of the game
Is to dance with the tiger
And laugh at the rain


lyrics by --- Rosanne Cash

Comfort Zone

"A good plan violently executed today is far and away better than a perfect plan tomorrow." --- General George S. Patton

Quench

"...No punishment less than death could quench the ancient inherited belligerence burning in our pagan blood." --- John Muir

Rightfully Wrong

"there is a way of being wrong which is sometimes neccessarily right" -- Edward Abbey

Virgo Woman

Thanks for giving me such a wonderful childhood!

Growing up as a rambunctious tomboy in the south was unforgettable. While you worked your ass off daily to put us thru a private school, we were oblivious to your sacrifices. Against all odds, I turned out okay.

Observe

I'm not here to make things better.... only to observe and pass judgement.

Confessions

I'm not kidding... few people realize the awesome power Google has laid in their hands. Yet, they do NOT know how to start step-by-step in order to take a slash of the*Huge* AdSense Profits.

If you are like me, you probably feel the same way too. "I Was Sick And Tired Of 'Gurus' Promising Me A *SECRET* AdSense Money-Spinning System... Which Most Are Full Of Hoopla Anyway!"

Listen up... the majority of AdSense users don't really understand how hard it is to make money on the Internet. If you try to learn it from these Gurus who are SO FAR ahead of the game of an 'average Joe', chances are you will fail. On the other hand it can be easy if you start out with a really simple, easy to follow plan - written by Newbies (just like you) and a few advanced AdSense users!

_______________

hhhhmmm?
These schemers always inspire me to (almost) always push the limits.

Yep. My lil web site makes me money now, but it was a rough decade up to this point. Talk about starving student crap all over again. Maybe more like starving artists. Yes indeed, Google & Amazon pay my mortage (thanks to all of you dedicated loyal fans). So I can provide YOU my fellow travelers with more great destinations & photos!!

Remember, CONTENT IS KING.

My web career, my unique lifestyle, my outdoor interest, my web site to you - it's my small gift to the world. Getting your ass outside, more often!

Total Escape is all about the real content, real imagery & real passion... all California, Off the Beaten Path
10 YEARS strong!
http://www.totalescape.com

Ride On

10-10-10! October 10th, 2006
(that's right around the corner) will be Total Escape's tenth year online. Woah, I registered my tiny domain name almost a decade ago. Can't forget them "w's.....www.totalescape.com

When a hi tech pal, Wesley, convinced me he knew HTML & we could start my space on the web, quickly began the demise of my 3D animation career.

Feverously I compiled my collected data from my local travels near California, mostly consisting of brochures & small town newspapers. My best pal Morris generously donated an old Mac & Total Escape was on it's way. Scanning all my old travel photos, making lists of anything & getting rid of unmotivated Wes (cuz WYSIWYG editors hit the scene). Once the mini SUV & digital camera were born, there was no stopping me.

Pressing into Total Escape's 10th annivesary online, the business is finally become something to live for. My baby, my dream job, my contribution to the earth. No printed weekly rags with toxic ink to sit in landfills. All clean & easy, all digital, all instantanious information, for you here. Now!

Thanks for being along for the ride.

Another

If you're only looking for another piece of ass, I'm sure it won't be hard to find. But if your searching for something much more meaningful & substantial - it must take time, energy & patience.

Breathe

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
Can you help me unravel my latest mistake,
I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just a day, he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But my God it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe, just breathe,
Woah breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel, you shout
'Cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, its no longer
Inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
And breathe, just breathe
Woah breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe.


lyrics by --- Anna Nalick

Necessity

Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.

--- John Muir

My Friend

You've known so long that you were wrong
But still you had your way
You told her lies and alibis
And hurt her more each day
But now your conscience bothers you
You've reached your journey's end
You're asking me for sympathy
I'm Sorry For You, My Friend.

You laughed inside each time she cried
You tried to make her blue
She tagged along through right and wrong
Because she worshipped you
You know that you're the one to blame
There's no use to pretend
Today's the day you start to pay
I'm Sorry For You, My Friend.

Today as she walked arm in arm
At someone else's side
It made you stop and realize
That time has turned the tide
You should have known you'd be alone
'Cause cheaters never win
You tried and lost, now pay the cost
I'm Sorry For You, My Friend.


lyrics by --- Hank Williams

What Difference

All men have secrets and here is mine
So let it be known
For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you ...
And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you

So, what difference does it make?
So, what difference does it make?
It makes none
But now you have gone
And you must be looking very old tonight

The devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and I lied, and why?
Because you asked me to!
But now you make me feel so ashamed
Because I've only got two hands
Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh

So, what difference does it make?
Oh, what difference does it make?
Oh, it makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole, and then I lied
Just because you asked me to
But now you know the truth about me
You won't see me anymore
Well, I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh

But no more apologies
No more, no more apologies
Oh, I'm too tired
I'm so sick and tired
And I'm feeling very sick and ill today
But I'm still fond of you, oh-ho-oh

Oh, my sacred one ...


lyrics by -- The Smiths

Hands Up

I know you think that I shouldn't still love you
I'll tell you that
But if I didn't say it
Well, I'd still have felt it
Where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess
And destruction to come back again
And I caused but nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "It's over"
Then I'm sure that that makes sense

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
As I'm sure we will
All that was then
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be


lyrics by --- Dido

Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)


lyrics by -- Lee Ann Womack

Full Moon

Quatal Canyon in the moonlight. The full moon rising over the mountains cast the blue light across the hard packed desert wash. An easy walk with a slight breeze & perfect temperatures. I love night hikes.

Quite a beautiful night tonight, even with the eerie owl cries.

These are the moments I live for.

Remove All

Ask if I must remove each & every photo of HIS face from all my photo albums & web pages. If so, that will take a few months to find them all. My computer career spans 18 years, my web site a full decade with 3000 trips logged. 5000 pages & 30,000 images. I am a busy girl ya know?

BIG SILLY CRY BABY......
Not having a good summer with your new business & fat queen?

I've been involved with some pansy guys in my life time, but this one the absolute worst. Someone please make him go away.

Relaunch

My poison poems & bitter thoughts are ongoing, while I live my ultimate dream life. Both hot & cold, up & down, on & off, boring & adventurous, passionate or dull, this bitter sweet dream is also my biggest nightmare. The backyard wildflower oasis is nearly complete; my shag carpet is laid & the love den is coming together; my AWD Saabaru is my best ride, yet I have the reason to write it all. To talk, communicate, to convey my messages. Those who will listen are few.

People still choose to read this blog, fans are even asking for it (months later) so I will make this blog live again.

Out in the Moonlight

I go out walking after midnight
Out in the moonlight just like we used to do
I'm always walking after midnight searching for you

I walk for miles along the highway
Well that's just my way of saying I love you
I'm always walking after midnight searching for you

I stopped to see a weeping willow
Crying on his pillow maybe he's crying for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night blooms will whisper to me I'm lonesome as I can be

I go out walking after midnight out in the moonlight
Just hoping maybe you're somewhere walking after midnight
searching for me

I stopped to see a weeping willow
Crying on his pillow maybe he's crying for me
And as the skies turn gloomy
Night blooms will whisper to me I'm lonesome as I can be

I'm out walking after midnight out in the moonlight
Just hoping maybe you're somewhere walking after midnight
searching for me

Raised to the Level

“Men's minds are raised to the level of the women with whom they associate” --- Alexandre Dumas Père

Miss the Most

“Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most” --- Mark Twain

Foot Progress

This past holiday weekend in the Sequoia was gorgeous. We camped on the High Sierra backroads between Sequoia & Kings Cyn NPs. No bears, no crowds & no music. Perfectly relaxing time was had by all.

We were all able to do the CRYSTAL CAVE granny tour, the last day on our departure. Much easier than the 'Wild Cave' spelunking tour I took last time. Hiked about 12-15 miles total over the 3 days & my foot injury is healing up fine. Now for the reconditioning process. Summer is almost over & my foot feels good enough to pick up my regular hiking schedule ; )

heart and soul

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” --- Vincent van Gogh