Happy Birthday #26

Triumph Beauty Birthday God

Dearest Apples of My Eye, Warmers of My Heart, Bees of My Knees and the Likes -

Last week I took myself a small vacation. I spent 150 dollars on a one-way plane ticket and a cheap bicycle and set out to explore the countryside, and (as with any adventure worth embarking upon) to explore myself as well. What I got out of it — — besides two cramped calf muscles and a lot of rain — — was that familiar triumph of mobility: the thrill of uncertainty in one’s future/direction and the sexy confidence that no matter what happens, it’s all gonna be good.

Did I mention it was raining?

Miserably. Downpours with the occasional shower. After three days of biking I arrived at a picturesque little village tucked away in a valley in Jiangxi province. With nothing but mountains before me, it was time to get rid of the bike, so I gave it to a pair of adorably mischievous 10 year-old rascals that had latched onto me and set off on foot into the hills.

Wet wet wet wet wet. And foggy like a motherfucker, as the old adage goes. Couldn’t see much of the scenery, but could SENSE its beauty, the awesomeness of the mountains throbbing through the fog like the scent of an unseen lover. Cliche? Fuck yeah… because mountain beauty is just about as ancient as beauty itself. Blossomed with the formation of the earth’s crust, like God’s second or third day on the job or whatnot.

Look. It’s my birthday again tomorrow. The big 2–6. I’m asking this year for the same present I always ask for: a letter.
Write me a letter. I know you’re busy, I know things are crazy right now, school work cats dogs, I know….. but please, share with me your recent triumphs of confidence and adventure, tell me about the ancient beauty that struck you so hard you forgot about the rain.

What I’m really asking for is for you to INSPIRE ME.

I’m always going to go off and do stupid shit in beautiful places, but it becomes fewer and farther between as we mature, doesn’t it? I’m not 19 any more — passion comes in showers now, not torrents. We burn but are not consumed. So let’s pool our resources, get each other psyched about this. I love my life, but I want to love yours too. Share it with me — I’m greedy.

It doesn’t have to be an epic saga, just whatever’s going on. I’m into subtle thrills as well. And attach a picture of yourself, to make me smile.

Know that wherever I go or whatever hill I’m romancing at the moment, it’s you guys that make my life rich. It is you guys that anoint my head with oil, for you all that my cup overflowth.

I love you hard and think about you often, even though I’m pretty much never in touch.
I wish you the best, the happiest, the healthiest, and the sweet-phat-flyest of them all…

Yours,
truly and sincerely

Jonathan