related links: Journal Archive last month: [No March] February 2004 2004_02_26 Valentine's, Times Square and Hiking Lead, Arsenic and Mercury (Oh My!) Suppressed by the Pentagon 2004_02_12 Not Much 2004_02_05 Pirates' Feast Censure Contact

HOME > JOURNAL > APRIL 2004

Journal (The Ember Update)

Wednesday, April 28

Ghost

Today we lost (Jacob) Marley to a growth in his abdomen. A 14 year old purebred Maine Coon, Marley was my favorite cat at Wunderland, the only longhair I've ever liked. I'd not witnessed a pet being put to sleep before; at least he passed at home. Marley would usually greet me sitting on the game room table when I'd arrive in the morning, then pester me at my desk to feed him or rub his forehead hard. Once I lay on the floor and he on my stomach … he seemed surprisingly heavy. Some of my fondest memories are of playing with him around the close-runged upstairs banister. The photo is one I took just before moving to California in 2001; he posed so endearingly for me. Click on the photo for an animated GIF (188k).

Speed traps and Homeland Security

Two weekends ago Kevin and I attended this year's first — not to mention my first — hippie-fest, Treehugger's Ball. We got to Sunshine Daydream (the farm/venue) pretty late. Kevin had expected as few as 100 attendees Friday evening, but the gorgeous weather had already brought between 300 and 1000 people out to camp in their tents or vehicles. We wandered out into the campfire-spotted darkness and managed to find a glassblower friend of Kevin's who goes by Pierced James. (James' moniker for Kevin is "Mr. Fun," which I find amusing.)

Pierced James asked if we'd seen any speed traps on the way in (police yes, traps no, and we drive blissfully gently). Apparently several police cars had lined the highway, with troopers using RADAR guns and binoculars to stop speeding cars carrying people in dreadlocks or tie dye. The police were allegedly claiming the right to search cars because of "homeland security" and were busting people. One guy had supposedly made bail of $1700 in order to get to the festival.

All of this was hearsay, but police targeting non-conformists and then throwing out "homeland security" to intimidate people into consenting to searches wouldn't surprise me in the least. [More about flexing your rights next time I write.]

To me, the most striking thing about this festival was the youth of the attendees: largely twenty-somethings and younger (word has it that larger events draw older crowds, which I'll prefer). I'm not around alcohol users much, so I forget how stupid some people can act when they drink. Kevin said the intermittent, rather primal whooping and hollering across camp is part of every festival. I'm used to camping quietly in rustic settings, not at festivals; I don't expect the experiences to be very similar.

Aside from camping, fires, fireworks and lots of stars, there were a few tented food or clothing vendors down by the barn, where bands performed. We hardly went in to see the bands, though we did observe Trip (the male half of the couple that owns the farm) announce that they'd already broken even for the weekend. Kevin and I had fun wandering all over the big circling road around the farm for as late as we could muster, then slept in the back of my dad's Explorer until the the midday Saturday sun forced us into fresh air. We drove home (crossing paths with the pictured grouse) in time to attend Alan's Last Supper, which I'll write a little about next time (along with the NORML Conference and Ariesfest).

Thursday, April 15

Stuff

Yay, the sun's back! We've been having a lot of rain and I've been itching to start bicycling to work, a scant 3 miles.

Now that Spring has fully sprung, life's getting even busier. Kevin and I are planning to attend our first-of-the-year hippie fest — the 4th Annual Treehugger's Ball — tomorrow night in West Virginia. Saturday evening Alan is having a "Last Supper" pot luck … everyone's to bring something they'd like to enjoy at their last meal. I'll be reporting on both here soon (if I survive).

Sunday we hope to work in the garden (the rain's prevented us from making progress), and maybe we'll visit with Jonathan at his new digs near Eastern Market.

Next week is the NORML Conference, and Saturday night is Ariesfest at Dorian and Amethyst's (perhaps you recall Librafest). Wow, I guess that means Kevin and I have been hanging out for almost 6 months! I look forward to the party's Den of Iniquity, since I've drummed a little now (thanks for the drum, Skip!), and know a bit about bellydancing. Sheesh … what am I going to wear?

I started yoga at a new place this morning (8:00am, ugh!), thanks to Dorian who encouraged me to try his Astanga teacher. It's been four months since my last class ended. I already ache. Astanga is a little more vigorous than Vishwayatan.

Because he's long-time friends with Gina, I met Weird Al Yankovic a few years back. I was very sorry to learn of the accidental death of his parents. If you haven't told your folks you love them lately, now's the time. (And while I'm at it, it's been a while since I encouraged new readers to call 911 if you think you might be witnessing someone in distress, like I wish someone had done sooner for my dad.)

Are you familiar with Geocaching? I first heard of it on NPR a year ago, and Skip says the bag of treasure in that tree was a geocache. It does sound like a neat idea, though I'm not sure when I'll get around to borrowing a GPS to try it. The only people I know with a GPS took it to Florida with their sailboat (okay, Tilghman has one on his charter fishing boat, but that's equally unhelpful). Anyone got a portable loaner? And speaking of sailing, is anyone looking for an experienced racing crewmember? Not that I really need to add anything else to my schedule…

Filed my taxes electronically early this week. I'm getting a decent refund that could cover the cost of both Burning Man and a trip to California. Kerin and Mike Sugarbaker and Rash have all asked when I'm visiting. Chances are it won't be 'til Fall, given my Summer calendar. Sure wish I could go now, as the homesickness persists.

Thursday, April 8

Blemished

Went to see The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with Kevin and Mom yesterday. What were are our reactions?

Kevin (20 minutes in): I feel like I'm off my medication.

Mom: That was weird.

Me: (We ran into Rich and Izolda coming out of the theatre, and I said I was going to reflect more before offering an opinion.)

Unlike most everyone else I know, I've decided that it's fatally flawed — to me at least — because I never developed sympathy for the largely un-redeemable characters. She's a self-absorbed bitch/waif and he's an almost one-dimensional loser. Yes the photography and visual tricks were artfully done. Yes the characters are strikingly real. Yes the story is creative and interestingly structured. I just had little patience for the people.

Actually, I liked the last 10 minutes of the movie. Spotless was a lot better than Being John Malkovich, which left me feeling utterly disappointed.

Friday, April 3

March

Why did I not update last month? I've been busy. Let's see …

Moving

In late February I decided to move back over to my mom's to save some money for a house and some activities this year … and to be around Mom. Thanks for letting me live in your lovely attic, Janet! When moving day came a month later, Kevin and Jonathan and their boundless energy helped (you guys are amazing). Kory's been by to talk and hang out with me while I unpack. I'm back in my old attic bedroom, which is completely different from when I last occupied it 18 years ago (the roof was raised, bathrooms put in, deck out back, etc.).

Mom

We had a brief scare with my mom experiencing dizziness. I didn't mention it here, but she had a TIA — a mini-stoke — just before Christmas. It consisted of her not being able to think of words or make coherent sentences for 5 minutes during lunch with friends. Regarding the more recent vertigo, after an initial emergency room CAT Scan (FYI, that's 100-250 times the exposure of a single chest X-ray), the Neurologist has established that it's an ear problem, not something worse, and a visit to an ENT doctor is in order. Mom continues to be a trooper. I also spent several evenings helping prepare her complex tax information for her accountant. I still need to do my own taxes…

Looney Labs, etc.

I held down the fort at Looney Labs while everyone else was in Vegas for GAMA Trade Show. I got to stay home in part 'cause I hate Vegas, but I was a little sorry to miss this admittedly fun show and getting to see Russell. Still, having Wunderland.Earth mostly to myself for the week was quite enjoyable. I played with Green Bean a bit more than usual; he likes the attention and has begun giving me kisses. Wanna kiss? Peek-a-boo!

Kevin and I have started a small vegetable garden in the back yard. We've broken ground and plan to grow tomatoes, bush beans and squash.

He and I also attended an informal outdoor skills class taught by Joey and held at Luisa's (with Cooperjohn and other familiar faces). We sat around a campfire and made rope from bark, string out of Milkweed, and grass mats from straw. Click on the thumbnail photo to see the fruits of my efforts.

Ronda and Jeff

I also caught up with friends Ronda and Jeff, who I hadn't seen in 2 1/2 years. Jeff's a skilled metalworker who does pieces for designers and the like. A podium he made for a set supplier appeared unexpectedly on the TV show Friends, while Ronda was watching. Ronda — a film maker — jokingly whined, "Hey, you made it to prime time before I did!"

She and I shared our struggles with overcoming our creative blocks (which at this point for both of us is: Don't talk. Do.) and Jeff mentioned how useful recalling childhood pleasures can be. Already on that wavelength, I've been reconnecting with things I enjoyed long ago: playing in the dirt, drawing, exploring the woods, reading 'til all hours, etc. Revisiting such things has helped me understand the activities and elements that appeal to my core being, and thus recall forgotten strengths. Anyway, Ronda and friends have started doing little creative projects, like spending a day in Adams Morgan photographing insignificant things … and having to tell a story with an unedited sequence of images. I look forward to going along on such forays.

Burning Man and Belly Dancing

Michelle and John, Sarah and Mike, and Kevin and I have bought tickets for Burning Man. and we're now in the planning phase. I'm so excited! Oh, and Kevin starts a new job soon, installing poolside lighting. He likes outdoor work, it's more lucrative, there's opportunity for advancement, and the company seems to be well established. He's looking forward to it.

I've started my second series of Belly Dancing classes with Laurel Victoria Gray, this time at the the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Laurel said the class is made up of an interesting group of ladies and I agree! Much preferable over the young, trendy DC chicks at JoM. I'm having a great time, and am looking forward to getting my dad's box- and furniture-cluttered office cleared out so I can have a little studio (for art and dance).

Skull and Treasure

Kevin and I have been hiking again, on two occasions, in the muddy woods along the Potomac.
[Click on photos to enlarge.]

1. Kevin surveys the brambly woods.
2. We were following deer paths pretty extensively, and pictured is a crossing. We found lots of scat and, at one location, large tufts of fur.
3. The skull (a dog?) was located in a sort-of alcove of vines and saplings that had been loosely pushed together.

4. Early on the second hike we passed under a bridge, and Kevin decided to see how far he could run up one of the supports.
5. Perhaps this set the stage for later, when we came across a slanted tree. Kevin bounded up it first, then jumped when he was halfway down.
6. Not to be outdone — or miss the imagined fun — up I went too. Then I got scared. Looking back at the photos, it doesn't seem so high, but it was pretty steep and footholds on the slick bark were few. I made my way down gingerly, jumping at one point as well. We agreed that maybe climbing that tree wasn't such a good idea.

7. Later we came across this tree, with its inviting hollow.
8. Inside, the hollow stretched up into darkness. Maybe I'll remember to bring a flashlight on future outings.
9. Hanging inside the hollow was a green canvas bag!
10. Inside the bag were some treasures, a log book, and a note which said:

Secret Treasure
You found our treasure
Good for you
Now take a piece
But leave one too

Please put our bag
Back on the hook
So others may find it
If they look

Please sign our log book
So we shall know
All who found us
NOW OFF YOU GO!

Smiley

Linked from the thumbnail at right is a photo of a dish towel my mom had pinned to the bathroom door for a portion of my childhood. It may seem hokey now, but I'm preserving it here for sentimental reasons (I happened to find it in the rag pile).

It reminds me of another dish towel sentiment from my youth, "A cheerful friend is like a sunny day, spreading brightness all around."

Have a Happy Day!

PREVIOUS MONTH | CURRENT MONTH | JOURNAL ARCHIVE