On a hot summer day, HQ is full of photos and flashcards on the walls, rugs on the floor, and two guys who set out to make a film. On this day in July, the two guys reflect on the past 64 days. 

Catching up with a friend who shared memories with me in Washington, DC. Jokes all around. Mix of English and Arabic.

The podcast always asks for itself. With some trouble shooting in the beginning of the episode, Bobby and Su being in two different countries, closed their eyes  to talk about what is going on in their minds lately. Topics include, journaling and seeing the self as an other for the sake of reflection, improvement of the space and the curation of experience, meditation, a dream to create a connected community. and the role of mathematics in creativity. We shared some excerpts of some of the books we are reading, related to the golden age of the Abbasids, the role of translation in Arab wisdom, and the Arab medieval medicinal uses of Dragon's Blood. 

In what became the first episode of yet another series on this show, a plan that initially involved on-sale candles and a recently remembered disregarded vacuum, swiftly and ever-so-loosely allows itself to evolve into a recorded hour long conversation about lessons learned by a newly career changing teacher at the high school that drastically changed the course of his life. What I hear now is the start of a teacher that has the potential to be deemed legendary at this school.

This is the beginning of an idea that was newly implemented. Whatever grows from here started in the fashion that you hear. 

What could be a new branch growing from the tree trunk that we call "You're [A]live Now", we have a new guest that guided our conversations to Fernando Pessoa, Seinfeld, climax, and anti-climax. Most conversation is in Arabic.

Oh but it is only another episode of two buddies talking on a late night at the end of their season together, sitting on the cold ground facing the moonlight and Baltimore trees. I believe that both of us feel this same way. Every time we enter the space to discuss, it is a journey that neither of us know where it will go, but we know that it will be enjoyable. 

The second episode in a car, but still the first episode of its kind. Join us as we drive around the Bustlin’ Boastin’ city of Baltimore in the afterhours where we talk about the new driver man, completely empty neighborhoods, the rhythm of life, petroleum jelly, American political radio, and of course, a couple ads to make money.

400 years ago, the top of a castle would usually be occupied by guards overlooking the ocean and valleys to detect and deter any threats. On this summer day lies not a guard, but two friends who have just felt the adrenaline of witnessing what once was a thought has become reality, when they decided to embark on a pilgrimage in Northern Spain, and are now overlooking the Atlantic shores of Irún, Spain. 

In this conversation, right before they realized that they embarked on their journey with no water or food with them, the two amigos discuss the spirit that runs through you while capturing moments, the powerful tool that controls attention: a camera, the exploratory nature of writing, what you need for good stories, Pepe, and of course, Bill Murray.

What will follow for the next several episodes is a collection of long moments captured through audio. Whether they are conversations on the shores of Zarautz, the moments before and after meeting a monarch, or the story of a Tibetan taxi driver, an encounter nonetheless between humans. 

This episode started with a question and the click of a recording button. The question was: "What do you like to listen to while you're driving?". At around 9 PM, red brake lights flashing everywhere in our faces, traffic did not bother us as we were deep in discussion in the taxi taking us from Manhattan to the Newark airport. Throughout this 45 minute drive, our Tibetan friend shares his incredible story and thoughts. Despite our exhaustion, taking a plane to New York City and back to Hinkley, OH on the same day, we were all deeply attentive to the story that this man calls his life.  Our realization about him? He is a truly good man who is finding peace of mind in the community he lives in. 

A

Is that which has no limit worth pursuing at all? Orbiting around Dao and Wu Wei as the conversation hops and skips from thought to thought.

The first in-person episode of this not podcast. 

[Recorded 13 July 2021]