Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahck. What did I do today? I got up late and puttered for a long time. I felt good about straightening up my room and washing the dishes. I played with my photos (as you saw). I felt profoundly uninspired to leave the house, but eventually I did.
I wandered… quickly finding the zoo and botanical gardens. Dozens of flamingos glowed a remarkable salmon color behind bars (hence no photo). I then took the Victoria Peak Tram to the top of the mountain on which I sleep. Views would have been better without the haze, but still kinda blew my mind (as did all the white people with strollers). Several constructed hikes guide you around the peak and inform you about plants, butterflies, views….
My bank was conveniently located at the base of the tram. HK is almost like Hawaii or Canada that way. I then wandered through the pedestrian overpass mazes and finally took the streets (a drastic measure!) to walk to where my guidebook said there was a tourist information center (Causeway Bay). The book also said there would be a free “happy hour” concert at the Cultural Center at 6, but no where did it indicate where the Cultural Center was.
I veered away from the main drag and found rows of truly Chinese-looking shops: hardware, medicine, tea…. A few blocks later they turned into upscale western shops. (I still have my eyes out for sweaters but not here.) I found the information center in the metro mall and learned that the performance was a children’s a cappella group which didn’t interest me at all (next week, it’s a Baptist Chorus, also not exciting – last week it was Chinese folk dance which I would have attended but alas).
Discouraged, I hopped on the metro back to Central. I thought I would find some art galleries, but I couldn’t read that map either (from the info center). I ended up shopping at the little night market – I got 3 wool sweaters for about US$15: blue, green, and pink (some with stupid little pockets). Then I took the escalators back to the house.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
In the mood for Liz
"I feel the sun on my back
"I smell the earth in my skin
"I see the sky above me like a full recovery"
-What Makes You Happy, Liz Phair, Whitechocolatespaceegg
"I smell the earth in my skin
"I see the sky above me like a full recovery"
-What Makes You Happy, Liz Phair, Whitechocolatespaceegg
Stanley Beach etc.
J, G and their friends are all crazy about this musician, Hawksley Workman, but of course I’ve never heard of him. That doesn’t mean anything since I am hopelessly out of touch with popular music… much to my own dismay.
I gave them a framed print of my etching “True Love Frogs”, and they believe I made it just for them. They consider being called “frogs” a good thing. It seemed like they genuinely liked it, but I have noticed that they also have incredibly good manners.
Last night, we went to the Stanley Beach House for dinner on the other end of the island far from the anything you would call urban but just short distance from it all. That fact is kind of remarkable. It’s just a little beach village that takes less than an hour to reach from Central on public transportation. We ate to the tune of waves crashing rather than cars honking and construction.
I don’t remember the exact flow of the conversation, but Guillaume said was that one thing that keeps their relationship exciting is that they do a lot of things separately. Juliette balked – to her, they spend far too much time apart.
We also discussed French and American politics. Juliette has found it frustrating to keep in touch with French national politics bc she has “quite left-wing” views, and all the French people she knows here swing the other way. She prefers to get her information, or at least some of it, from people, but that hasn’t worked in HK. Guillaume asked me about a Republican candidate that I had never heard of, but who he says is likely to get the nomination.
The restaurant owner was Swiss-French. I told him I understood what he said as long as he didn’t say it to me. He said that reminded him of his girlfriend. (He also kissed my hand when we left, which I didn’t like at all.) He ranted at length about everything wrong with the world including:
1) 95% of an economist’s job is to explain why their earlier predictions were wrong. The remaining 5% is to make the next prediction which will in the end be wrong.
2) The minister of agriculture should work in the countryside in order to reduce his travel time and expenses bc he works on agriculture. (I tried to explain why this didn’t make sense, but he wasn’t much for listening.)
3) Democracy can only work in affluent countries, and only the affluent should vote. Juliette, of course, objected at this. I could see his point, but only from the perspective of our infinite California initiatives. I tried to explain this. J and G might have been interested – there was no way to tell as there were no pauses. The other thing that concerned me about this line of thought is the frequent confusion between capitalism and democracy. The 2 are not the same, but I often feel like when we are talking about democracy, we slip into talking about capitalism instead.
4) He went on for quite some time about integrity being binary -- you either have it or you don't. I, of course, strongly disagree.
I am sure there was more, but those are the ones that stuck with me. They told him to be careful with his transportation observations since he was in the presence of an expert. Later, he asked what kind of transportation. “Human,” I explained to which he suggested I meant inter-regional (not using those words – I have forgotten his words). “No, urban,” I further explained.
“Oh,” he replied the light bulb finally having gone on. “You mean mass transit.” I agreed in order to end the conversation more quickly.
“He seems lonely,” Juliette later suggested.
I gave them a framed print of my etching “True Love Frogs”, and they believe I made it just for them. They consider being called “frogs” a good thing. It seemed like they genuinely liked it, but I have noticed that they also have incredibly good manners.
Last night, we went to the Stanley Beach House for dinner on the other end of the island far from the anything you would call urban but just short distance from it all. That fact is kind of remarkable. It’s just a little beach village that takes less than an hour to reach from Central on public transportation. We ate to the tune of waves crashing rather than cars honking and construction.
I don’t remember the exact flow of the conversation, but Guillaume said was that one thing that keeps their relationship exciting is that they do a lot of things separately. Juliette balked – to her, they spend far too much time apart.
We also discussed French and American politics. Juliette has found it frustrating to keep in touch with French national politics bc she has “quite left-wing” views, and all the French people she knows here swing the other way. She prefers to get her information, or at least some of it, from people, but that hasn’t worked in HK. Guillaume asked me about a Republican candidate that I had never heard of, but who he says is likely to get the nomination.
The restaurant owner was Swiss-French. I told him I understood what he said as long as he didn’t say it to me. He said that reminded him of his girlfriend. (He also kissed my hand when we left, which I didn’t like at all.) He ranted at length about everything wrong with the world including:
1) 95% of an economist’s job is to explain why their earlier predictions were wrong. The remaining 5% is to make the next prediction which will in the end be wrong.
2) The minister of agriculture should work in the countryside in order to reduce his travel time and expenses bc he works on agriculture. (I tried to explain why this didn’t make sense, but he wasn’t much for listening.)
3) Democracy can only work in affluent countries, and only the affluent should vote. Juliette, of course, objected at this. I could see his point, but only from the perspective of our infinite California initiatives. I tried to explain this. J and G might have been interested – there was no way to tell as there were no pauses. The other thing that concerned me about this line of thought is the frequent confusion between capitalism and democracy. The 2 are not the same, but I often feel like when we are talking about democracy, we slip into talking about capitalism instead.
4) He went on for quite some time about integrity being binary -- you either have it or you don't. I, of course, strongly disagree.
I am sure there was more, but those are the ones that stuck with me. They told him to be careful with his transportation observations since he was in the presence of an expert. Later, he asked what kind of transportation. “Human,” I explained to which he suggested I meant inter-regional (not using those words – I have forgotten his words). “No, urban,” I further explained.
“Oh,” he replied the light bulb finally having gone on. “You mean mass transit.” I agreed in order to end the conversation more quickly.
“He seems lonely,” Juliette later suggested.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Photos of HK day 1
View from Juliette and Guillaume's living room (back)
From the pedestrian overpass (with escalator) to the Ferries etc.
Waterfront promenade on the Kowloon side
Social marketing in the ferry terminal
From the ferry
View of their apartment building from the front
From the pedestrian overpass (with escalator) to the Ferries etc.
Waterfront promenade on the Kowloon side
Social marketing in the ferry terminal
From the ferry
View of their apartment building from the front
HK Day 1
They say that if you can walk from the upper midlevels (where my friends live) to the ferry terminal without going to street level, you’re a local. I haven’t managed this feat yet, but I’m working on it. The pedestrian facilities here are extensive and were likely quite expensive, but that doesn’t make HK a pedestrian-oriented city. It isn’t. I’ve been here exactly 24 hours, and I would say they emphasize public transportation: buses, ferries, taxis, and metro (which I haven’t tried yet).
I slept pretty hard last night and woke up early. Guillaume rushed off the work, but Juliette and I had breakfast together and chatted. After she left for work too, I puttered for a few hours (my specialty) before getting out the house. Wednesday is free museum day in HK. So, that’s what I did, and this bit of ingenuity saved me a whopping US$3.
I took the Star Ferry from Central to Kowloon where the History and Art museums are. The ferry was fast, efficient, and cost about US$0.25. I took pictures. I had trouble finding the History museum, but once I did I found the first floor on natural and pre-history deadly boring. The upper levels covered the formation of the city. For example, the British interest in occupying HK was the result of a trade imbalance due to the English love affair with Chinese tea. The Chinese would only accept silver in trade, and I guess the Brits were running out of silver or something; so, they introduced opium which they were able to collect from India eventually causing widespread addiction here.
Chinese officials balked at that, but enough corruption existed that nothing was really done about it. Things stayed that way until the Japanese occupation of HK in the 1940s. When they invaded, they dropped flyers explaining to the English why it was in their best interest to surrender, and I guess that worked bc they did. How clever is that? Explain to people from afar why they should do what you want them to do… sort of like the jet-eye mind tricks that KT and I were discussing the other day where your boyfriend “explains” to you why you don’t want to breakup with him. Ahem. Anyway….
What the Brits had done right in their invasion of HK was to make it a negotiation based on trade where everyone maintained their dignity and got something in return. The Japanese had alienated the Chinese with their tactics and without trade with China, HK lacked food and water to support its population. They expatriated maybe 75% of the city’s original population but still couldn’t feed people. Photos showed bone-skinny people of both races.
You can see that I was paying attention. I couldn’t help but notice that while HK was a very long and successful British colony, isn’t colonization still disrespectful? And shouldn’t that be addressed or at least alluded to in the city’s history as provided by its own museum?
By this time, I was starving. I found a dim sum place recommended in my guidebook, and walked their via the waterfront promenade. 2:30 p.m. begins dim sum happy hour. So, I had a pot of tea and 3 types of dumplings in an elegant dining room with a view for about US$7. It took a long time, and we had a few misunderstandings, but I had no complaints by the time I left.
My next museum was the HK Museum of Art. The paintings inspired me: their compositions, story telling, and inclusion of the written word. I want to do an etching of a sail boat and water with traditional-Chinese-painting composition. I want to transcribe into lead the words I hear in my head rather than try to drive them away or understand what they mean or their source. I took a low-quality photo of a dorky gift-shop tapestry depicting a river of ducks for my future reference. Yes, I am excited.
By this time, it was about 5 p.m. So, I took the Star Ferry back across the water and again failed to avoid completely the street level on my way home. This area is the foreigners’ ghetto. I saw lots of white people, and many of them even pushed strollers. I could see myself living here in a pinch.
Posting these words will have to wait until Guillaume returns and fixes my wifi connection – it stopped working after a brief but delightful IM session with Tyler this morning. I don’t know why.
Note: this history of HK is from memory and may not have any basis in reality.
I slept pretty hard last night and woke up early. Guillaume rushed off the work, but Juliette and I had breakfast together and chatted. After she left for work too, I puttered for a few hours (my specialty) before getting out the house. Wednesday is free museum day in HK. So, that’s what I did, and this bit of ingenuity saved me a whopping US$3.
I took the Star Ferry from Central to Kowloon where the History and Art museums are. The ferry was fast, efficient, and cost about US$0.25. I took pictures. I had trouble finding the History museum, but once I did I found the first floor on natural and pre-history deadly boring. The upper levels covered the formation of the city. For example, the British interest in occupying HK was the result of a trade imbalance due to the English love affair with Chinese tea. The Chinese would only accept silver in trade, and I guess the Brits were running out of silver or something; so, they introduced opium which they were able to collect from India eventually causing widespread addiction here.
Chinese officials balked at that, but enough corruption existed that nothing was really done about it. Things stayed that way until the Japanese occupation of HK in the 1940s. When they invaded, they dropped flyers explaining to the English why it was in their best interest to surrender, and I guess that worked bc they did. How clever is that? Explain to people from afar why they should do what you want them to do… sort of like the jet-eye mind tricks that KT and I were discussing the other day where your boyfriend “explains” to you why you don’t want to breakup with him. Ahem. Anyway….
What the Brits had done right in their invasion of HK was to make it a negotiation based on trade where everyone maintained their dignity and got something in return. The Japanese had alienated the Chinese with their tactics and without trade with China, HK lacked food and water to support its population. They expatriated maybe 75% of the city’s original population but still couldn’t feed people. Photos showed bone-skinny people of both races.
You can see that I was paying attention. I couldn’t help but notice that while HK was a very long and successful British colony, isn’t colonization still disrespectful? And shouldn’t that be addressed or at least alluded to in the city’s history as provided by its own museum?
By this time, I was starving. I found a dim sum place recommended in my guidebook, and walked their via the waterfront promenade. 2:30 p.m. begins dim sum happy hour. So, I had a pot of tea and 3 types of dumplings in an elegant dining room with a view for about US$7. It took a long time, and we had a few misunderstandings, but I had no complaints by the time I left.
My next museum was the HK Museum of Art. The paintings inspired me: their compositions, story telling, and inclusion of the written word. I want to do an etching of a sail boat and water with traditional-Chinese-painting composition. I want to transcribe into lead the words I hear in my head rather than try to drive them away or understand what they mean or their source. I took a low-quality photo of a dorky gift-shop tapestry depicting a river of ducks for my future reference. Yes, I am excited.
By this time, it was about 5 p.m. So, I took the Star Ferry back across the water and again failed to avoid completely the street level on my way home. This area is the foreigners’ ghetto. I saw lots of white people, and many of them even pushed strollers. I could see myself living here in a pinch.
Posting these words will have to wait until Guillaume returns and fixes my wifi connection – it stopped working after a brief but delightful IM session with Tyler this morning. I don’t know why.
Note: this history of HK is from memory and may not have any basis in reality.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Arrived!
I checked in online bf leaving for the airport, was only 1.5 hours early, waited a short time to drop off my bag, and had an uneventful flight. 14 hours is a very long time, but we watched 6 movies (I watched 2.5 -- "I pronounce you Chuck and Larry", part of an old Harry Potter, and I've already forgotten the other), slept and ate. Anyway, I have no complaints. Guillaume has set me up with the wifi. It appears I had better get off the computer as things are happening in the kitchen....
They live on the 22nd floor of a tall building surrounded by taller buildings on top of a hill covered in cross-crossing roadways. Lots of taxis, buses, and cars, no bicycles.
They live on the 22nd floor of a tall building surrounded by taller buildings on top of a hill covered in cross-crossing roadways. Lots of taxis, buses, and cars, no bicycles.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
another scrap
I'm off to HK tomorrow; so, I want to take care of some loose ends. This is what the scrap says (source unknown):
The bottom line is that people want authentic and transparent relationships with other people.
The bottom line is that people want authentic and transparent relationships with other people.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Photos of my sister and mother biking in Ireland
You can tell she is my sister bc of the continual scone commentary.
Photos
Photos
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Nightmare
I'm listening to the Talk of the Nation as I prepare for tonight's hanging at the gallery. The topic is The Anatomy of the Nightmare. The definition of a nightmare is a dream so bad it wakes you up. Sleep labs found that something like 70% of all dreams are negative.
Question everything. What is a dream? What is sleep and how is it different from being awake? Let's accept for a moment that being awake and being asleep are fundamentally the same. That is, they are both mechanisms through which we process our emotions and concerns.
In college, I was briefly involved with Brendan who had a very bad reputation. I didn't care, but I heard the stories from the gossips and speculated on how they correlated with the stories of his life that he told me. I won't go into the details. This is relevant bc one of his speech -isms was to call all kinds of his life experiences "nightmares". I found it aptly descriptive and began using it too.
A nightmare, then, is something that happens (in life) that is so negative it wakes us up. It throws us out of our patterns. It bring us consciousness to our actions and how they relate to our values. My relationship (lowecase "r") with Brendan was not a nightmare; my Relationship with Jared was. I've had a few jobs that were nightmares. I even had a living experience that was a nightmare once.
If 70% of all dreams are negative, dreams so bad you wake up are nightmares, and waking life isn't nearly so negative, maybe a waking "nightmare" isn't necessarily always negative. On the other hand, maybe we need a new word for that. I've had many positive life experiences that have caused me to "wake up" to my actions and how they relate to my values.
Question everything. What is a dream? What is sleep and how is it different from being awake? Let's accept for a moment that being awake and being asleep are fundamentally the same. That is, they are both mechanisms through which we process our emotions and concerns.
In college, I was briefly involved with Brendan who had a very bad reputation. I didn't care, but I heard the stories from the gossips and speculated on how they correlated with the stories of his life that he told me. I won't go into the details. This is relevant bc one of his speech -isms was to call all kinds of his life experiences "nightmares". I found it aptly descriptive and began using it too.
A nightmare, then, is something that happens (in life) that is so negative it wakes us up. It throws us out of our patterns. It bring us consciousness to our actions and how they relate to our values. My relationship (lowecase "r") with Brendan was not a nightmare; my Relationship with Jared was. I've had a few jobs that were nightmares. I even had a living experience that was a nightmare once.
If 70% of all dreams are negative, dreams so bad you wake up are nightmares, and waking life isn't nearly so negative, maybe a waking "nightmare" isn't necessarily always negative. On the other hand, maybe we need a new word for that. I've had many positive life experiences that have caused me to "wake up" to my actions and how they relate to my values.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
NEWFLASH: Indecision Hurts
"It hurts to even think of those days. The damage we do by the hopes that we raise."
-Aimee Mann
I'm goofing around so far today when there are about a million things I should be doing. I should cut myself some slack. I work a lot.
I'm listening to my podcasts. Mr. Manners just reviewed how to handle holiday scheduling. He said something I found remarkable: it can be more hurtful to waffle and then not show up than to be clear about your plans from the beginning. Thinking about this, I realize it's true of many aspects of life.
Friends/Family -- Mr. Manners covered this.
Employment -- I used to apply for every job I found, and see how many offers I could get and play them off each other. A few years ago, I learned that this is inconsiderate to my potential employers who spend time reviewing my application and getting offers approved by their board (for example) without knowing my ambivalence. Likewise, it doesn't make sense for employers to interview me once and sometimes even twice when they still have a number of candidates under review. My time is valuable, even more so when I am consulting (either for myself or for a firm). Both employers and their applicants should limit their inquiries to only when there is real interest and seek out mechanisms to determine their interest (like tests or networking) before taking up each other's time.
Promotion -- Along the same lines, employers shouldn't put employees up for promotion unless they sincerely believe the employee will get it. I've seen this happen a few times, and in every case, it has led either to the employee leaving or to needing a great deal of damage control to keep them. Save everyone a lot of time and heartbreak and communicate your opinion/concerns up front.
Dating -- We all know that that period when a relationship is ending is the worst, much worse than before and after it. Likewise, I have wasted a lot of time (and missed other opportunities) thinking about boys who just "aren't that into me" but string me along (probably to "save my feelings"). Human nature is complicated, but wouldn't it be great if we could get to know each other as friends and see if a strong emotional/physical connection evolves? ...and see if there is potential for a deeper partnership with the person?
Housing -- I've even had the experience of being delayed by potential housemates not being clear about their level of interest in joining the household. In this case, like with employment, the risk is deeper bc basic human needs (money, shelter) are involved. (Altho the stakes aren't as potentially emotional devastating as the end of a relationship.)
In sum, humans are complicated. Future needs and feelings mysterious. But that's all that much more reason to act deliberately. Get to know people. Meditate and get plenty of sleep so that you know what you really think. Don't over- or under-express yourself. Respect people's time including travel time. Pay attention and remember your observations. Keep your eye on the big picture.
-Aimee Mann
I'm goofing around so far today when there are about a million things I should be doing. I should cut myself some slack. I work a lot.
I'm listening to my podcasts. Mr. Manners just reviewed how to handle holiday scheduling. He said something I found remarkable: it can be more hurtful to waffle and then not show up than to be clear about your plans from the beginning. Thinking about this, I realize it's true of many aspects of life.
Friends/Family -- Mr. Manners covered this.
Employment -- I used to apply for every job I found, and see how many offers I could get and play them off each other. A few years ago, I learned that this is inconsiderate to my potential employers who spend time reviewing my application and getting offers approved by their board (for example) without knowing my ambivalence. Likewise, it doesn't make sense for employers to interview me once and sometimes even twice when they still have a number of candidates under review. My time is valuable, even more so when I am consulting (either for myself or for a firm). Both employers and their applicants should limit their inquiries to only when there is real interest and seek out mechanisms to determine their interest (like tests or networking) before taking up each other's time.
Promotion -- Along the same lines, employers shouldn't put employees up for promotion unless they sincerely believe the employee will get it. I've seen this happen a few times, and in every case, it has led either to the employee leaving or to needing a great deal of damage control to keep them. Save everyone a lot of time and heartbreak and communicate your opinion/concerns up front.
Dating -- We all know that that period when a relationship is ending is the worst, much worse than before and after it. Likewise, I have wasted a lot of time (and missed other opportunities) thinking about boys who just "aren't that into me" but string me along (probably to "save my feelings"). Human nature is complicated, but wouldn't it be great if we could get to know each other as friends and see if a strong emotional/physical connection evolves? ...and see if there is potential for a deeper partnership with the person?
Housing -- I've even had the experience of being delayed by potential housemates not being clear about their level of interest in joining the household. In this case, like with employment, the risk is deeper bc basic human needs (money, shelter) are involved. (Altho the stakes aren't as potentially emotional devastating as the end of a relationship.)
In sum, humans are complicated. Future needs and feelings mysterious. But that's all that much more reason to act deliberately. Get to know people. Meditate and get plenty of sleep so that you know what you really think. Don't over- or under-express yourself. Respect people's time including travel time. Pay attention and remember your observations. Keep your eye on the big picture.
What's Coming Up
My last post was about the recent past. I have a few other past posts to process. However, right now I am very excited that yesterday I bought a ticket to visit Juliette and Guillaume in Hong Kong and registered for a woodcut class in December.
Music, Language, Art
My friends and I have been doing a good job of enjoying this City's cultural resources. Two weeks ago, we enjoyed the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park. I went on Saturday and had such a good time, I decided to return the next day instead of sailing. We heard:
Michelle Shocked
Gillian Welch*
Los Lobos
Charlie Louvin
Hot Buttered Rum
Mekons -- interestingly sort of country punk
Dry Branch Fire Squad*
Jorma Kaukonen*
* indicates particular favorites
During the DBFS the Blue Angels kept flying overhead. The tall man improvised with this odd musical situation well in his monologue.
Last weekend, we did the Lit Crawl. We met first at Casanova as a woman read her personal travel essay about peeing in Antarctica. The room was very crowded; so, we dashed across the street and had a cocktail at Blondie's.
Next, Kristin wanted to hear the essays collectively titled "Girls Tell All" at the Beauty Bar. I found them unremarkable.
Finally, I thought it would be good for us to hear some poetry. At the Marsh, we heard poets read from "youth to beauty". I particularly enjoyed the first piece by a young man about his imaginary giraffe daughter and another later by an older man about "America". Of course, I didn't note down anyone's name tho I should have.
What's totally awesome about the Lit Crawl is the hordes of people who come out and run from venue to venue to hear other people's creative writing. I haven't felt like writing lately, and I only feel a poem coming on every once in while, but I came away from the event feeling inspired and good about my work. What makes a "writer", I guess, is that they write (regardless of quality or content). Not that I accept labels.
Sunday, we did the Bike Coalition's ride to the Marin Headland's Center for the Arts. I love that bike ride, and wished continually that I had remembered to charge my camera -- it was so beautiful. (I've been feeling rather frustrated with myself lately. I haven't taken an art-worthy photo in about a year, and many of ones I took a year ago I can't use bc of their resolution.) There, they have a smattering of "artists in residence" working on various interesting projects -- all ambitious, some remarkable. An example of my lack of commitment to blogging right now is that I didn't note any names.
I have a card from Danielle Nelson Mourning's show where she traced her ancestors in Ireland and took photos of herself simulating what their lives may have been like. She used large-format film on a "field camera". We discussed the unique nature of winter light. I love the idea of constructed self-portrait.
Michelle Shocked
Gillian Welch*
Los Lobos
Charlie Louvin
Hot Buttered Rum
Mekons -- interestingly sort of country punk
Dry Branch Fire Squad*
Jorma Kaukonen*
* indicates particular favorites
During the DBFS the Blue Angels kept flying overhead. The tall man improvised with this odd musical situation well in his monologue.
Last weekend, we did the Lit Crawl. We met first at Casanova as a woman read her personal travel essay about peeing in Antarctica. The room was very crowded; so, we dashed across the street and had a cocktail at Blondie's.
Next, Kristin wanted to hear the essays collectively titled "Girls Tell All" at the Beauty Bar. I found them unremarkable.
Finally, I thought it would be good for us to hear some poetry. At the Marsh, we heard poets read from "youth to beauty". I particularly enjoyed the first piece by a young man about his imaginary giraffe daughter and another later by an older man about "America". Of course, I didn't note down anyone's name tho I should have.
What's totally awesome about the Lit Crawl is the hordes of people who come out and run from venue to venue to hear other people's creative writing. I haven't felt like writing lately, and I only feel a poem coming on every once in while, but I came away from the event feeling inspired and good about my work. What makes a "writer", I guess, is that they write (regardless of quality or content). Not that I accept labels.
Sunday, we did the Bike Coalition's ride to the Marin Headland's Center for the Arts. I love that bike ride, and wished continually that I had remembered to charge my camera -- it was so beautiful. (I've been feeling rather frustrated with myself lately. I haven't taken an art-worthy photo in about a year, and many of ones I took a year ago I can't use bc of their resolution.) There, they have a smattering of "artists in residence" working on various interesting projects -- all ambitious, some remarkable. An example of my lack of commitment to blogging right now is that I didn't note any names.
I have a card from Danielle Nelson Mourning's show where she traced her ancestors in Ireland and took photos of herself simulating what their lives may have been like. She used large-format film on a "field camera". We discussed the unique nature of winter light. I love the idea of constructed self-portrait.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Questions Not to Ask Women
How old are you?
How much do you weigh?
Are you pregnant?
[This came up bc my birthday is soon. I gained weight in France. I am not pregnant.]
How much do you weigh?
Are you pregnant?
[This came up bc my birthday is soon. I gained weight in France. I am not pregnant.]
Friday, October 12, 2007
Alogny Vacation in Review
[I wrote this post a while back, but neglected to post it until now.]
The New York Century was the least pretentious bike ride I have ever been on – very few little outfits. Most people rode fairly clunky bikes (including me), wore cotton, while making that 100 miles look easy (which it was being flat). We did something like 85.
The whole competitive cycling thing irritates me. I mean, taking anything so seriously that you become gaunt and wear odd clothes is irritating. These people love New York. They love cycling. They don’t get all fussed up about it like the people in California do. Of course, I haven’t done any other east coast rides. So, I don’t have a sample for comparison.
I’m on the train from the country back to Paris for a couple final days… really just a day and a half if you take travel time and sleeping into consideration. I was there a week and a day, but it went by like a flash. I’ll post a photo of Alogny to give you an idea. I didn’t even have time to read. Nine of us + one baby stayed there – friends from grad school at Berkeley and their significant others. So, it was a lot of visiting and drinking wine on the patio. We rented bikes for the week to we could tootle around between castles and see the gorgeous country side. The area is perfect for biking – little roads, not much traffic, beautiful countryside, just enough topography to keep it interesting.
So, yeah, there was visiting, biking, walking (Keturah and I each even did a run), eating and drinking. Probably best illustrated in pictures (posted here).
My mom has 4 pet chickens… or had. Now, she has one. The second to last died the first night we arrived after a few days of illness. They are (or were) back with brown eyes, and they spend their days scratching and moving around higgledy piggledy. We tried to care for the one remaining chicken when my mother was away – but we were an inferior second.
After a few days of her being away, my mother returned and the chicken ran around with more enthusiasm than we’d seen yet. Who knew that chickens can tell people apart and feel fondness for particular ones. Last night, Ryan went out to put the shut the chicken door (she usually puts herself to bed, but the door must be shut to keep the foxes from eating her). Marshall followed, and shortly returned to inform us that the chicken had not put herself to bed. Ryan was poking around in the bushes where she usually hangs out, when I came outside to double check. Well, the end of the story is rather dull – she had put herself to bed, just not where they had thought she would be. We called Ryan back in from the shrubbery before we lost him to the foxes.
It was a vacation in the traditional sense of the word… not that I needed one. (Ryan said he hadn’t taken a real vacation in several years.) I live my life like it’s a vacation… in the sense that I stay relaxed and I don’t let myself get worn out. (I’ve tried the alternative, and it didn’t work for me. I’ll cite health reasons.) Now, I’m actually exhausted.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
A Thought on the Role of Love
My friend Joyce said "I love everyone: my friends, my partner, my family, people I didn't even know. Then I realized, if I love everyone so much, why am I still unhappy?"
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