Evergreen Explorations *Part One*
The Washington Obligation
Falling Northwest
I took these at the Japanese Gardens while visiting Portland last fall. These tiny trees were a huge part of my incessant inclination to make my way up into the Pacific Northwest. For years I’ve wanted to photograph these Japanese Maples. Finally, I couldn’t take it any more so I made my way to them…
Running Out
Portland also educated me about a remarkable magic power that I never knew I possessed! This is a Portland-specific-magic that disables me from locating—or even nearing—any destination I set out for while in Portland… not at the time when I was actually looking for it, at least. I’ve named this power the Washington Obligation.
If I wanted to get to the highway, I ended up in Washington.
If I wanted to get off the highway, I ended up in Washington.
If I wanted to get gas, I ended up in Washington.
If I wanted to go South, I had to start further North—in Washington.
Tiny Gardens
I ended up in Washington at least once, each and every time I attempted to go anywhere via car. The number of journeys that had a much higher percentage of unintentional Washington excursions than ONE, is pretty near perfect. The odds that I would spend at least an hour trying to find my way away from Washington were the best I’ve ever come across. I’d bet everything I owned against the event that I’d make a Washington-free excursion. There were no conditions that could disprove such inerrant odds, apparently.
Magic.
Strange Days
I had no choice but to conform to and gracefully embrace this new and ironic destiny. I was abnormally gifted in finding this destiny, at least. For some reason, it was absolutely necessary that I make an appearance in Washington before I could make any impact on the fates. Only after I had fulfilled the Washington Obligation was I able to persuade the gods of coincidental junctions to compel my misadventures in the direction of, well, anywhere besides Washington.
The fundamental element of this deviating destiny is that I be delivered to a location of exceptional interest. It is, however, essential to the existence of this particular element that these conditions are strictly met:
• The unconsciously manifested location which I was to be relayed to MUST never be that one which I had originally sought.
• The tangential terrain obtained MUST be in the complete opposite direction of the initial target site.
• The providential place of my quest MUST materialize and prevent my passing without any portent.
I claim magic… the other option to explain this is far too rational for my taste.
Tranquil Trees
Cheers!
