Painting with Fire: A Shaman's Dream

Photography and music by Hamid Shibata Bennett. All photographs are single-exposure snaps, as captured in camera, with no moving of pixels in any image manipulation software. Shot with the Pentax K10D. The photos are older. The music was recorded earlier this evening and the video cobbled together afterwards.

http://www.photographybyhamid.com/

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Bella Vista Park

The city of Gresham, Oregon is actually sinking money into improvements to Bella Vista Park. I tossed this quick video together for my friend's little son. He's rather fond of trucks and construction equipment.



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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Artsy Fartsy

Just a silly visual experiment to go along with a song I recorded years ago....

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Fight back!

It takes only a moment... let Congress know we want real health care reform! It's time for change! Dig it!

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fight_back/?source=20091013_OFAFB

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

You'll fall in love with Farmer Dave!

The Community Health Project visits Farmer Dave in Troutdale, Oregon.

Make your voice heard!
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Wolf Man runs the Portland Marathon!

Photos of my journey... health care starts with the self....

http://racephotos.net/RunnerDetails.asp?nRunnerID=723716

Marathon tidbit... I passed 348 people in the last half of the race. I was passed by 24 people.

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

I've been blogged!

My friend at East-West College, blogged about me the other day....

http://portland.balance.fm/blog/elizabeth/2009-oct-5/hamid-shibata-bennett

In other media, two of my photos have been posted at Digital Photography Magazine...

http://www.dpmag.com/your-best-shot/north-america/united-states/oregon/6305-peek.html
http://www.dpmag.com/your-best-shot/north-america/united-states/oregon/6306-alien-scape-ii.html

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Our first interview video!

The Community Health Project is just starting to roll! We've just completed our first video! It's from a series of interviews at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland, Oregon. For some reason, only men wanted to talk to us that day... must have been the rain!

The Community Health Project, official YouTube channel...
http://www.youtube.com/user/communityhealth1


Help us spread the word! We can make a change, if only we speak up!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

Make your voice heard
http://www.communityhealthproject.com/


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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Thank you all!!!

I just wanted to publish your amazing pre-marathon wishes, encouragement, etc... thank you all for your support! Couldn't have run the marathon without ya!


The best of luck!!!! We will be thinking of you and wishing you smooth roads, endless stamina, cooperative muscles and a willing spirit.

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You can do it!!!

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Best wishes on your journey in the marathon, Hamid! My spirit is cheering all of you during your run! Cheers! Cheers!

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Sending you love and a virtual high five!

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Good Luck Hamid!!!!!!! I have no doubt that you'll make the best of every moment.

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Hamid, I wish you a great run! Have fun and run like the wind!

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Hey Hamid,

I loved reading your email. I like these phrases:
"letting go of the future"
"a rich lifetime of sufferings"
"I'm not sure if I merely have something to prove to myself. Or, if I just need to plummet heart first into the unknown. We find our answers in the journey. "
"Rocky and the Karate Kid" - that's funny!

I'm inspired by your journey!

Sara, River, and I are coming to watch the marathon tomorrow and hope to see you and cheer you on. You can do it! Hell, you've already done it!

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I wish you the best during your journey tomorrow. If I have the opportunity to see you among the thousands of others who are also making the journey, I'll wish you well in person! Enjoy the moments!

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Good luck, hamid!

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Fly like an angel brother; but go slowly enough to take in the beauty of it all.

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Hamid,

Every step is a blessing

Every breath, divine

There is no "end"

Only the joy and learning through the "means"

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Good luck to you Hamid! You are so inspiring. I wish you the best, let me know if you will need a massage after wards :) I am free on Tuesday. Go Forest go!!

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Hello Hamid, I will be sending you lots of wind power for your run. I am not clear - are you running the 3 mile race or the 26.2? Either one is quite an accomplishment. Let me know and glad to hear you are well.

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Go go rocket feet! i love you hamid! blessings to you & thank you for your sweet mirror of love that you give so freely.

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Oh my goodness ~ that's Awesome!! Congratulations Hamid, for taking action...............I appreciate you, your stories, videos and you keeping me informed of your life. Even tho' we physically spend very little time together I feel very close to you somehow. Take care and keep on keeping me in the loop and I shall do the same. Peaches and ~> Sparkles




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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

Marathon... defeated!

Dear friends,

Impossible is a myth created by those who have never tried.

I vanquished my foe, the Portland Marathon, today in 5 hours, 37 minutes, 20 seconds.

I started off the run needing to stop at the first restroom! It was fun making up so much ground, weaving in and out of people. I didn't stop at an aid station until mile 14. On the ascent up the Saint John's Bridge, I saw an eagle overhead... spread my wings to do my eagle dance. Crossing into mile 20, I was feeling good, then hit the wall. I walked through most of that mile and picked up again before mile 21. At that point, nothing was going to stop me!

Crossing over the Broadway Bridge, I accelerated my pace and tore into downtown Portland. The last 2 miles, I really picked it up, feeding off the encouragement from the crowd.

In the last corner, I raised my arms up in the air and yelled out to the crowd, "C'mon! Make some noise! Let's hear ya!" They erupted! I sprinted past some people, crossing the finish line in a two-footed stomp, pounded my right fist into my heart and screamed, "I am Samurai!"

I feel totally alive! Except for my legs, which feel like jello! I came home, crawled into a hot Epsom salt bath, then settled in for a nap.

This is such an abbreviated account of the day. I will write more later. I just wanted to send you a quick detail before I collapse! ha!

Thank you all for your support and well-wishes! My friends... I couldn't have done this without you! I was reading all of your messages the day before the run and weeping. It was wonderful! And, thanks to those that messaged or called, after the race, following my progress online. Loved your messages! Thank you!

Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon

A little jog...

Dear friends,

It's the day before the Portland Marathon. 24 hours from this moment, I'll be in the first 3-mile ascent. This is more than a run. This is the beginning of my Shamanic journey, shedding the past, letting go of the future. Learning to live in the beauty of the Now.

I've had a few tests along the way. A rare cancer right out of high school. The death of my parents in 2004. Divorce this year. Life is filled with loss and love. There is not a single person you'll ever meet who has not experienced a rich lifetime of sufferings. Different experiences from our own, but no less challenging.

I'm not sure if I merely have something to prove to myself. Or, if I just need to plummet heart first into the unknown. We find our answers in the journey.

I don't know if I'll make it. My longest run is far shy of 26.2 miles. I'll be channeling Samurai and Wolverine, Wolf and Lion, Rocky and the Karate Kid! Mostly, I run with faith, love, compassion and meditation. What makes us powerful, even when we are weak? What makes us keep going, though we are weary and tremble? I intend to find out.

If we have crossed paths, even for the briefest of moments, you have been an inspiration. Thank you for braving this lifetime. Thank you for choosing life.

If you'd like to learn more about the Portland Marathon, here are a few good places to start...
http://www.portlandmarathon.org/

Here is the course for the 2009 Portland Marathon:
http://www.portlandmarathon.org/details_coursemap.php

To follow me during the marathon, click on the link below and enter the following info:
Bib number: 7685
First Name: Hamid
Last Name: Bennett
http://www.liveraceresults.com/liverc1/


Blessings and love,
Hamid : )

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Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon