A Craftsman’s Journey. So it begins….

Well, here we are in the same old spot again. I hope you’re enjoying yourselves. Preferably with a warm cup of tea and something crunchy to snack on while you sit and read, peruse the internet, etcetera etcetera. Regardless, this is the beginning. Beginning to a new travel journey, which will in turn create a new lifestyle for 22 weeks. Beginning to a new category in this blog, and a new section on this website.

We’re now sitting solidly in the year 2012. The famous year of evolution, reform, destruction, ends of eras, beginnings of the future. Between the occupy movement and the current international and political atmospheres, the environment, and the climate, spirituality and science, there is a lot going on. So far ancient races, at least half a dozen, have suggested that we’re at our doom’s end this year. That we won’t last. Others suggest we are simply at the turning of a tide, the end of an era, a new world. Well, I think that the odds are in their favor to be right, in some way or another.

Between the government, environment, climate, social evolution, interstellar events, political unrest, corporate corruption, and plain ol’ metaphysical woowoo, chances are good that we won’t come out the other end of this year as we are now, if at all.

Rest assured, I am going to start this year, the beginning of the rest, the last of the past, the turning of the times, doing something fantastic. I am embarking on an exploratory mission unprecedented in my life. I’ve been asked why I am taking a 22 week vacation, but at some point (somewhere after 4 weeks?) it no longer exists in the same experiential construct as a “vacation”. More so, it is a lifestyle change. One that I will, theoretically, change back from after, but will likely return changed forever. What a complex thing.

I’ve known what and who I wanted to be more or less since I was a kid. But solidly between 15 and 17 years old I decided that a few things were simply facts of my existence and who I am. I am Douglas Cedric Adam Clitheroe. Born to my parents as Douglas, evolved by myself as Cedric. I am a metalsmith, blacksmith, bladesmith, jeweler, ranger, hunter, camper, wanderer, guard, guardian, watcher, sentinel, life coach, friend, fighter, drinker, brewer, baker, cook, shaman, man man, human. I always sort of knew these things were who I am, but now, I get to put them to the test.

I feel like I have really settled into these realities over the last year, and this year is the year that I refine and define, establishing myself as a power amongst the powers. And really dig in for the fun part. What better way than to start with a trip around Europe to visit friend, see sights, learn things, meet other makers, and live apart from the places that I have been, to find out what aspects of Me are truly of myself and disconnect from Place and Thing. Come along with me, it will all be here, as best I can, with links to photos, etcetera.

-Douglas Cedric