At that time of my last posting, my motorcycle trip throughout the Western United States to photograph and interview the Relocalisation Groups seemed a distant reality. Now, with only two weeks left before I leave, the excitement of this assignment is building and my awareness is sharpened, focusing on the finer details of this two month odyssey. Thankfully, I have the support of some amazing people who are doing all that is possible to make this happen. Collectivization.

One of the themes that has emerged during the planning of this trip is the idea of Collectivization and the realization that I am not an individual and I am not alone.  In the West, I am told to grow up, become independent of my family, start a career, make some money, buy a house, start a family, and work diligently toward retirement where I will one day be free to enjoy my life again. This is not my reality.

When I first pitched the idea of this trip, I was alone with an idea, something I had to work on for myself. But when I had committed to making this happen, I was met with a sudden enthusiasm from my friends who saw the importance of this assignment.

My friend Rae, who runs the Veggie Collective in Vancouver off her front porch was truly the catalyst. With her enthusiasm for food and dedication to providing her neighbourhood with healthy, affordable organic produce, I saw that it is possible for one person to make a difference. Through Rae I met her partner Keith who works on the energy farm at UBC. Keith is a presence, not only becuase he stands head and shoulders above the crowd, literally, but when you talk with him, he is present with you. I admire that.

Through Rae again, I met Mack and Eliza. Great parties, tons of fun building human pyramids in the back yard, but more importantly, two people who are dedicated to each other, their friends and their passions. Mack has been an enthusiastic audience, sitting through my brainstorming sessions about food issues, media and the importance of communicating your message effectively. He's also responsible for the technology behind Post Carbon and I should mention that they have a great  garden!!

Mack then put me in touch with Post Carbon Institute and Sarah and Shelby who have been instrumental in co-ordinating this trip. Sarah has sat through the many edits of my proposals and press releases and has patiently revised work that was draughted in the bleary hours before sunrise. For this I am grateful. And to the Post Carbon Institute staff for being supportive of my trip, providing me with access to this wonderful Network of groups.

I feel that the catalyst for change will start at the dinner tables, when we open our doors once again to our neighbours and their neighbours and we share a meal, we will realize that we are not alone in this big beautiful world, and when we realize that we are not alone, and not all that different from each other, we can start to live the life we long for.

David