Meeting Grace: The Blog

Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the Earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves. This we know – the Earth does not belong to man – man belongs to the Earth. This we know.
– Chief Seattle

It’s Earth Day! Since the first goal I listed for this year was to reduce my impact on the earth, I thought I’d post some info about what I’m doing to try to uphold this goal, and things I’ll change or do to keep it up.

At work today, they’ve made the recycling bins more prominent and we’ve turned off most of the lights in our area. I like it just fine. I also sit by a window and already had the lightbulb that sits above my desk removed so not much change for me.

I believe in recycling, not that it’s even a belief, I mean the facts are clear that recycling is good to do and really easy. But I know people who don’t do it at all and it’s hard to understand. At home, we have a recycling bin set up in our kitchen and I can be pretty militant about it. It’s easier now I think because it’s in the kitchen whereas in the last house it was in the laundry room. Now it’s in site and thus it triggers whoever has something to toss to determine if it should go in the trash or the recycling bin.

I regularly use canvas bags for grocery shopping now. I think I need 2-3 more and that should completely eliminate the need for the grocery-bagger to switch to plastic when the canvas bags have been filled. I think I’ll make a point to keep them in the car for those times when I’m stopping on the way home from work or something. I will also keep them in mind when I go into other stores.

We have changed some of the lightbulbs in the house but not all of them. I am a stickler for not using electricity if we don’t need it, so I’ll go around and turn off lights in rooms where no one is.

I do have to commute, so I drive a single car to & from work. If I could take public transportation and it didn’t take 2 hours to get here, I would do it. I’m not in shape enough to bike to work so that is one thing I wish I could change but see no alternative for at the moment. What I can do is make sure my truck is running well, keeping its tires inflated and the oil changed regularly, which I do, and to off-set this usage (see Terra Pass in the green links below).

As far as my goal to reduce my own physical weight impact on the earth, there hasn’t been much change. But as the weather is now warmer, we are going to try to start walking or riding bikes more, maybe even take them down to the bay which is so close now.

To wrap up this post, I’m going to provide some green links, which I actually absconded from various posts on a certain slant of light. I hope she doesn’t mind my sharing them here Some of these are really wonderful and I plan to participate in most of them at least once this year.

Enjoy and love your Earth!

Eco Choices: shopping site

Eco Libris: plant a tree for every book you read.

Six Energy Saving Tips for the Dishwasher

Low impact living: Learn how you can change your impact.

Terra pass: Try to make up for the commute. Restore the balance.

If you are interested in finding a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) in your area, click here.

Give the gift of trees.

No impact man: A blog of someone trying to live without any kind of negative environmental impact.

Patina’s green section.

Daily clicks, which includes hunger, breast cancer, child health, literacy, rainforest, and animal rescue. Another easy (and free!) way to donate to causes.

recycled notebook

reusable produce bag

organic bamboo wipes

Care2. You can click every day and sponsors donate to different causes.

Free Rice: donate rice with every word you get right.

I went to my first baseball game of the season last night, and what a game to go to! In case you haven’t heard, it went 22 innings and ended at 1:21 am. Sadly, the Padres could not pull it out.

We lasted ’til the 13th inning, which is pretty good. We tried to watch the rest of it when we got home, but fell asleep during the 20th inning.

There’s nothing like an evening at the ballpark. We chose to go to the “Park at the Park”, the best deal in baseball. For $5, you get into the park, then you can either set up a blanket on the hill (which we did), or wander around and take up space in any of the designated standing areas. Plus you can bring in your own food. That’s a bonus. So we found the friends we were meeting, set out our blanket and enjoyed Submarina sandwiches as the game got underway. A couple other friends joined us a bit later, too.

It’s been pretty warm here lately, but usually down at Petco, when the sun goes down and the breeze kicks up, it can get rather chilly. Not last night. It was downright pleasant all evening, I didn’t even put on my jacket! It probably helped that we spiked our sodas with vodka that we’d snuck in via small flasks in order to avoid paying $9 for a Miller Lite. Yay!

Peavy was on fire. 11 strikeouts, 4 hits, no runs in eight innings. He’s 3-0 with an ERA under 2.00! But even when he sat down in the 8th inning, little did we know that they had almost two games’ worth of innings still to play. He ended up with a no-decision. I fear for their skills when they play the hottest team in baseball tonight, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yikes.

The Padres are not outstanding. They’re pretty inconsistent with a measly 8-8 record, which still places them at 2nd in the NL West. But so far, there doesn’t seem to be a real stand-out team yet, save for maybe the D’backs.

But even with all that, I’ll take a night out at the ballpark, or an evening at home watching the game, over pretty much anything at this time of year. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s baseball!

I’ll leave this baseball post (which my mom will not understand at all) with a photo of the new statue that graces the Park at the Park. Go Padres!

At lunchtime sometimes during the work week, I will often park my car in some shade at the local rec center or on a side street near my office. I will eat a sandwich and read a book and just chill out. Today I fell asleep in the middle of a page, NPR in the background, slight breeze coming in the open window and my hands, gripped on either side of the book, slowly beginning to tingle as they also fell asleep in that position.

Some Most days lately, there is nothing more that I want to do than just sit and read. I’ve made the choice to read three books simultaneously, something I’ve not tried before. Two, yes, but not for a couple years. But I want to savor each one so I take turns, letting the words and the stories have a break from my prying eyes.

My mind is everywhere. I can’t seem to write a coherent post about just one thing. It seems to nearly always be just observations or thoughts, nothing more substantial like I admire in so many other blogs. How can I devote a good hour to a book and not even a fraction of that to a single-subject post that reveals insight into the human condition, be it universal or mine alone? Like right now, I want to make note that I’ve been really enjoying the way my hair looks. I may have finally found the right product that keeps the curls managed while also showing them off.

I also want to explain that the other day (I think it was Sunday), I was overwhelmed with a sense of happiness that I haven’t felt in a while. The kind of feeling where everything seems to be exactly as it should and that very fact is enough to make a person giddy. I was driving home from the grocery store. It was around 6:30 or 7 pm and it was still warm and beautiful, my favorite time of day. Han was waiting for me at home and was going to make dinner. I’d completely cleaned and arranged the laundry room in my effort to finish up getting the house put together. I’d gone to book club that morning and had a great time with Heather & Barb. The music that came up on my iPod was perfect. Even the idea of dealing with the Paypal situation the following day wasn’t making me cranky. It was a good day. It seems silly, maybe, but I have become a worrier of sorts, always weighed down with one issue or the other, from the mundane – bills to pay, schedules to keep, dishes & clothes to clean – to the more global issues – the war, the environment, gas prices (currently $3.75 in San Diego), the presidential election. But on Sunday, it all seemed to melt away and I felt so light and airy. It was a beautiful feeling, one I slowly came to recognize as I used to be more like that most of the time, finding ways to manage the weight of all of those issues without it bearing down on me constantly. It’s changed me, and not in positive ways. But there are days like that when I catch a glimpse, when I let the weight slip off unknowingly and I notice it. The difference in my mood, my attitude. I think a lot of it has to do with the change in our location. There’s so much more light! I really think that was affecting me in small ways that all built up. And of course, the change of the season, as imperceptible as it may be in San Diego, also is affecting me, I think. I’ve always been more of a summertime gal.

And so, it seems a turning point. Or at least what I’d like to recognize as one. I like the sound of that.

The benefit on Saturday went really well. I have to give my thanks to Rosemary at San Diego Dialed In for posting something on her blog to help spread the word.

But here’s the thing. I had about 30 pre-paid reservations, not bad, but really I expected more. I repeatedly checked the Paypal account that was set up and nothing new was posted. I had updated my email after I moved so I didn’t know why I wasn’t getting any more responses. I figured I’d get some walk-ups.

Prepping for the event was good. I had some great help from some awesome volunteers including Jimmy Duke of Dark-Thirty house concerts (my co-presenter), Bill & Shirlee of Canyonfolk house concerts and Patricia W who instigated the whole idea. We got the chairs set up, BH got the sound system put up, the kitchen was organized and stocked with coffee, water, and desserts for the guests. I made some programs and bought some food for the green room.

When doors opened, one of the first people said that they had paid for their tickets (the donation to the cause that got them into the show) via Paypal but I didn’t have their name on my list. Multiply that by 10. I thought I had 30 pre-paid but I actually had about double that. It threw off the seating we’d set up and what we expected from walk-ups. But the most important part of it was, where was that money and why hadn’t I been notified? This issue stuck in my craw for the rest of the night, but I was able to forget it for a while as the show went on.

To start off, we showed a video clip narrated by Eric Lowen about his career and his diagnosis. I think it was a perfect way to start the show so that everyone could know, if they didn’t already, who was on the receiving end of their donations. Then I introduced Berkley Hart and they did an amazing set, bringing the crowd to their feet and demanding more. It was awesome!

Then there was a short break before Joel Rafael was introduced. He was joined by Dan Rothchild on bass. And they did an amazing set as well, also receiving an ovation and an encore.

Both acts spoke poignantly of Eric and were able to tell personal stories that I think really connected everyone together. It was a wonderful spirit and vibe in the air and the venue really lent itself to fostering that feeling as well. In the end, a solid number I had was $2200 that we raised. I am really pleased with that! Of course, there’s another $500 out there, too, that is in Paypal limbo. Here’s what I learned:

There is an email address associated with the transactions through the Paypal button and I didn’t know that I needed to update that one. So, people clicked the “Buy Now” button and paid their donation but because my old email address, which I can no longer access, was associated with it, I could not claim the payments. Tonight I had to send out a “mea culpa” email and ask several nice people to request a refund from Paypal and find it in their hearts to re-donate. I’ve gotten some nice responses back from people so I hope it will all work out, but still, what a pain in the ass!

Bottom line, though, I get to send at least $2200 to a man who can really use it on behalf of many people who cared enough to participate. I am humbled and grateful to everyone.

~~

In other news, I made cashew chicken tonight for dinner. My cooking skills are neanderthal at best, but I got through this pretty good. It was actually the second time I made it.

~~

My aunt Mia arrives in LA for an extended visit tomorrow. We’re trying to figure out when we’ll get a chance for them (including my sister & T) to come down and see the new house. We talked of Sea World but we have some other things happening that afternoon/evening so it may be difficult.

~~

I mentioned the wild splashes of color. I took a picture near my work, the light purple doesn’t come across as well as I’d hoped but you should get an idea.

~~

We’re going to the baseball game on Thursday! We’re doing Park at the Park and having some friends meet us to enjoy a night of baseball. Yay!

That’s all for now. Time for bed!

This morning on the way into work, it sprinkled a little. When I looked to my left, I saw a full rainbow arcing over the Miramar air field. I had to smile.

Hello again. I’m sorry I’ve been away so long. It’s been so long that WordPress went and changed their interface so I’m trying to figure out where everything is again.

I’ve missed writing here, but sometimes life just gets in the way! So much has transpired and instead of a long potentially boring post, I’d rather just touch on a few significant things that happened. Another redux if you will. The other day, I even jotted down some notes so I would have a guideline, as opposed to random rambling. So, in no particular order, the things that have taken my attention, distracted me from writing here:

- the wild splashes of color on the hillsides and along the freeways
I love spring in San Diego, if I were any kind of photographer, I would share photos of these bursts of color with you here

- moving
Although the official move was March 30th, the whole month was centered around that event. Packing, purging, figuring out finances (moving is always more expensive than you think it will be), exhaustion, grief, the promise of a new start.
In our new place the other night, we contemplated how we felt. I was surprised when Han said he missed the old house and its funkiness. Me? I straddle the dichotomy. I certainly miss the charm and old style of that old Craftsman, but there is a part of me that relishes this new space. Its bright & open spaces, making it ours from the ground up. And the one thing I LOVE is all the light it gets. Plus we are closer to the ocean now and all seems right.

- Baseball is back
I love that baseball is back in action. I can look forward nearly every night to catching the game on our HD television or listening to it on the AM dial. It’s a true pleasure. Go Padres!

- Steve Earle & Allison Moorer at the Belly-Up
I bought tickets to this show for Han for his birthday. The show was on Easter Sunday. I am a huge fan of Steve Earle and have followed his career since I was in college. I’ve seen him numerous times in a variety of venues. His sister has played at my house concert series. His songs are amazing. His politics are right on for me and I just think he’s great. This show, his wife, Allison Moorer, joined him. She opened the show and then came out and sang with him on a few songs. It was just him, no band (though they rock!). The only other accompaniment he had was a DJ who put down some beats. It was okay, but I didn’t love it. He’s much better on his own. He opened with some of his classic tunes (“Goodbye”, “Someday”, “The Devil’s Right Hand”, “Billy Austin”). Then he did several from his new album. It was a great show. At the end of the evening, he came back for an encore and told an incredibly poignant story about the men of his family. How he missed out on most of both of his sons’ lives and how his own father would drive 1000 miles just to see him perform. He went on to say that he’d lost his father around Christmas and that he and his sons had just gone out for steak dinners to celebrate their birthdays. It was such a moving story. I couldn’t help but weep. For his loss, for his life, for my own father and his support of everything I’ve ever done. Then he played “Little Rock ‘n’ Roller”, a song he’d written for one of his sons, who he rarely saw because he was on the road. It was a really incredible moment.

- return of Java Joe’s at the Handlery
Java Joe’s, first in Poway, then in Ocean Beach, was an acoustic music mecca. Its existence helped facilitate my meeting almost every person I love the most in this world, especially Han. When he closed his last place, a bar in the college area, it was a sad time. But then, this little hotel lounge got the idea to have live music. And Han got the idea to hook them up with Java Joe and so it goes. Java Joe hosted an evening of music at the Handlery Lounge with about 25 artists doing 2 songs each. It was the return of Java Joe’s and it was great. It works perfectly for Joe because he doesn’t have to worry about the business side of things, just the music side which is what he always loved in the first place.

- Han’s birthday
Birthdays are always tricky. He wants the attention, but wants it to come unbidden. He doesn’t want to be involved in the planning but he wants to know that something is being planned. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? On top of it all, he wasn’t feeling very well, so I had to make sure we didn’t do anything to crazy. So I planned a gathering of our good friends at a great sushi place in PB. I got the tickets to the concert as I mentioned and then the other gift was a group effort. I asked a bunch of friends to send their thoughts, stories, photos, well wishes to Han. I compiled them and put them all in a binder. It went over very well. Who wouldn’t love a whole book full of stories saying how great you are?

- Laurel’s baby shower
One of the people I adore who I met at the aforementioned Java Joe’s many years ago. She’s expecting her first baby next month and her mom hosted a baby shower for her. We don’t see each other too often anymore, but it doesn’t matter. We’ve shared a lot over the years, been there for each other’s ups and downs, she was even my roommate for a while. As a rule, I hate baby showers, but this one was fine and I wouldn’t have missed it.

- T’s birthday
My nephew turned 10 years old in March. He lives in SLC so I don’t get to see him very often. He’s coming to visit with his mom in a couple weeks and I can’t wait to see them both. He’s a good boy, avid reader with a vivid imagination. He likes sports and music. Although we’re not super close, I’ve enjoyed seeing how his personality has developed and am proud to be his aunt.

- last house concert
With moving came the last house concert for my series, Meeting Grace. I invited a bunch of San Diego singer-songwriters (most of whom I met at Java Joe’s!) and those who could make it showed up to play a few songs. The main act was Berkley Hart and the night was dubbed Berkley Hart & Friends. That whole day was pretty hectic and I barely had a minute to let myself ponder what was really happening until I got up to speak at the beginning of the evening. I lost it, started crying in front of all the lovely people. They understood. Toward the end of the evening, I was sitting outside by myself, on the side porch so I could still hear the music. Berkley Hart ended the whole thing with “This Land is Your Land” and I cried again, this time more robustly, for the house, for the house concert, for the music that has filled my life for the last 8 years, for all the people who had called that house home over the years, for all the people who had joined me for the house concerts and who helped make it such a success. I needed to do that and it felt great.

- my reading at Rebecca’s
On March 18th, I was the featured reader at Poetic Brew which takes place at Rebecca’s in South Park. I can’t quite explain the absolute rush and simultaneous comfort I felt by being on stage and performing again. I was really in the zone that night. It was wonderful to have some good friends in the audience as well as Han & DK. There were other poets there from back when I first started, the people who initially encouraged me to keep at it. They still are and it’s immeasurable to have their support.
When I was unpacking, I was working on a box of books. I keep separate the books I have been published in and I was filled with the desire to really go for it again, be it publishing or reading out. I think in this new space, I can forge a new habit that will build on this rekindled fire.

- the Garbette wedding
“Garbette” is the combination of our two friends’ names, a la “Brangelina”. Their wedding was last Saturday and although we didn’t get a chance to stay for the whole reception, the ceremony was lovely, all of our friends in attendance, to celebrate the union of a fine couple. These two have been together a while and she is expecting their first baby later this year. The wedding made it all “official” but everyone already knew they were a match. Still, it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

- Eric Lowen Trust Benefit concert
In all of my in-between time, I’ve been planning this benefit show that’s happening this Saturday night. It’s for a musician named Eric Lowen who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) 4 years ago. It’s been heartbreaking to see his deterioration over time, but his spirit & character have only gotten stronger. My house concert series and another one here in town are co-presenting Berkley Hart & Joel Rafael. All proceeds are going to Eric’s trust that is helping to pay his medical bills and support his family. I’m sad to say that I have not had many pre-sale tickets and absolutely no press coverage. I’m hoping that people choose to come to the show and pay at the door. We’ll see how it goes.

That’s a good re-cap of what’s been happening since we last met. Still on the horizon:

- taxes: doing them this weekend, ick
- a visit from my aunt Mia from Sweden, plus my sister & T and my parents
- book club coming up on Sunday. We’ll discuss “The Thirteenth Tale” which I finished last week. At that, I’ll get to see Heather who’s birthday was last Sunday.
- label showcases for both the bands I work with
- DK starts up with crewing again for the next JT production
- a reading to celebrate the publication of this year’s San Diego Poetry Annual
- a road trip out to Joshua Tree for a show
- Han setting up shop in the new place
- finalizing the house and getting rid of the remaining boxes
- maybe attend a baseball game or two?

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I promise not to take so long until the next post