Location undisclosed, Puna
Photo © 2010 Arvin Munoz

This is true.

A designer friend of mine and I were drinking tempranillo at a fave spot in the City (name withheld because they're a weak pour; they're a fave because they have a patio and decent food, but they take their 5-ounce rule way too seriously). Sharee was talking about how I had to brand myself and I was thinking, "I'm not into tattoos."

"No, your brand as a writer."

"Blech," I said. Or some other onomatopoeic gurgling. "My writing is my, quote-unquote, brand."

Some months later I was pulling weeds around the low rock wall surrounding the tea bed in Puna, trying not to get stung by centipedes. I stood up, a little light-headed, looked around. Told myself that I do live a somewhat contrarian life: I don't abide by admonitions like No.. or You can't.., and I do so in two flavors of paradise: Puna and San Francisco.

Careful what you wish for.

Every day in both of my paradises is bit of a challenge - (a word of caution: if you feel the need to be a writer, Suppress it! Kill it!; and if you think Hawaii is all mai tais and easy living, think again) - but fortunately, I do have rich friends with swimming pools.

From all that emerged A Gentle Iconoclast in Paradise. It's the name I affix to my blog because it works. And truly, how boring is the title, 'The blog of jeffrey hannan'?

Feel free to check out my ruminations on life, society, space, writing...not quite enough on travel, and the all too infrequent feature, My Boozy Luncheon with Sherman.

Hang out with A Gentle Iconoclast in Paradise »

That's all.