I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the fire culture. It's one that I don't naturally fit into in a lot of ways, so I always feel (perhaps without cause) that I'm trying too hard to fit in.
But tonight I saw three amazing performances with people I know and love as performers. There's something so wonderful and special about watching someone I know in one context showing off the thing they've worked on and prepared for so long. The concentration and focus. The very 'them'ness that comes out.
I also got to see the life-size mousetrap in action, finally!
And it was quite nice to see 2piR in action again. And running beautifully. And to play on it with Munc. I've never come up with a brilliant dance sequence or idea or anything, but it's always fun to control fire.
Also, I enjoyed spending the day with my good friend David and his girlfriend Ursula who is in town from Vienna. Although I've met her many times, this was the first time I've spent quality time with her in a small group. She and David and I hiked a trail in Redwood Regional park that I had to preview for the backpacking trip that I'm leading in 2 days. She is really positive about everything and very interesting. And we all enjoyed swimming in the pool at Roberts Regional Park.
Ach! Adrenaline rush from fire! Will I ever sleep?
- Mood:
bouncy
Highlights:
--this tiny little kid (half the size of the older boys) who never lost his excitement and willingness to help others, even after 3 and a half miles in the blistering heat.
- the team leader (my staff) who didn't know how to use the liquid fuel stove but decided to turn it on anyway (in a puddle of spilled white gas, no less) and caused a big ol' flame of fire which freaked everyone out. Luckily, I seem to have finally learned how to be calm and collected in an emergency and just walked over, calmly telling everyone it was ok and it was only white gas on fire that would burn out soon, and turned the stove off (with flames licking at my wrists) without setting anything on fire. Who knew learning to spin fire would be so useful to my profession!
-finding a caterpillar and looking at it through my new bug jar with 4x magnification!
-water fights
-watching the older boys step it up to help out the younger ones
-laughing at Yo Mama! jokes for the first time ever
-tent talk
-S'mores! (It's been too long! I used to have these every week!)
-The simple pleasure of yummy food after a long hike in a beautiful place.
However,
Ack!
I'm ready for a regular 9-5, M-F job!
I love this summer program I'm working on. For a number of reasons.
But I just realized that of the last four birthday parties I've been invited to, I've missed 3 because I was too busy with work. (When it rains, it pours in the seasonal, outdoorsy business). I think this is unacceptable.
- Mood:
exhausted
Huge success!
I've been terrible about promoting this, but some of you may know that I"m in a play.
It's written by my friend, and Costco campmate, Niki and it's based on Pride and Prejudice. (Also, a bunch of you know my friend Kasey, she did set design.)
Here's the blurb:
"The Pride and Prejudice Project is an unconventional look at a family ripping through the money, marriage and class ties that bind. Fusing original text, movement, and music to create a world where past and present become one."
We're performing tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday nights at 8. The show is only about an hour long, cause it's still a work in progress, but I've been told it's an entertaining work in progress. And I'm really enjoying being involved in it. If you can make it, that would be awesome.
Click here for more info. www.kolabs.org
- Mood:
nervous
Weds. night
-very productive rehearsal for The Pride and Prejudice Project http://www.kolabs.org/ (argh, I need to write up my bio)
-good conversation with my roommate Kells
Thurs.
-Good conversation and hot tubbing with the boy.
-A new $20/week little side job grading papers for a woman who lives two blocks away from me (Craigslist comes through yet again).
-Half-price night for Once on This Island at the Ashby Theater.
This show is REALLY well done! I've seen a lot of musical theater, and I highly recommend this ensemble! Go see it! http://www.berkeleyplayhouse.org/se
-seeing said show with my good friend Lynne. So glad that I have friends who love musical theater as much as I do.
Fri.
- I think I have a pro bono lawyer. Yay! Fingers crossed.
- Realized I didn't yet have plans, so texted a newish friend. We went to the Oakland Art Murmur. It was my first time going, and it was really great. Everything was so interesting.
Highlights within the highlights post
- a room full of dangly fabric-filled-with-sand to play with
- a 360 pictoral view from the top of World Trade Center Tower #2. It was like suddenly stepping into New York and onto a ghost.
- some really amazing political art by Mark Bryan
check out "The Mad Tea Party". Wow! http://artofmarkbryan.com/mad%20tea%20p
-getting to see Beat Beat Whisper (my favorite local band) unexpectedly
- meeting some great people. A random collection of people who gelled really well together. And managed to stay together throughout a 3-hour art crawl. Cat herding has never been easier!
Tomorrow, I am very excited for my second year of the Urban Iditarod!
My friends Chris and Rachel are coming in from Santa Cruz! Lots of other friends! And the boy is coming too!
We shall be mimes.
It was drizzling, kind of raining on and off, but I wanted more experience with hiking in bad weather anyway and I figured getting that without a troop of kids along for the ride would be a good idea. Because I have a lot on my mind, I decided not to invite anyone along and just go for a nice 8 mile hike by myself.
Of course, I started later than intended. After spending the night in the city, I realized that I'd forgotten to bring my rain pants so had to go all the way home (though I'd been planning on going to Ashby Bart where my bike was parked anyway so this only added about a half hour to the trip). I also left the city a half hour later than intended after being treated to breakfast. Then there was the Barting to Fruitvale station to get on the one bus per hour that goes all the way up to Redwood and Skyline (and only during the school year, in the summer I add on an extra half hour of pushing a bike up one of the steepest city streets I've ever seen). Next came the joyous three mile coast moderately downhill to the Redwood Schoolhouse, our office, where I could pick up a park vehicle. (Notice that 3 miles Downhill? Guess what happens on the way home.)
When I arrived, I had a long, important talk with my boss whom I adore. As always, we talked for too long because we're both talkers. I really needed to get on the road! Finally, I got the vehicle and was on my way for the hour to hour and a half drive to the trailhead with a stop along the way to return two important phone calls I got while driving, before I was out of cell phone range in the woods.
So, basically, by the time I arrived at the trailhead for my 8-mile hike it was almost 3 o'clock. And raining.
But I'd come this far. So I continued undaunted. Well, somewhat daunted.
I'd been tasked with taking pictures of the trail and vistas. Which is hard to do in the rain so I would frantically pull out the camera whenever there was any sunshine. Maybe my boss will send me those if I ask nicely.
It all started out innocently enough. I put on my rain gear. It dribbled on me. It was beautiful out. As early as 1/4 of a mile in I felt isolated in the middle of nowhere which is impressive for a hike that's only an hour's drive from Oakland. No car sounds. No reminders of civilization. Lovely!
Of course, I had to hurry because I was trying to make it back in time for rehearsal in the city by 7 (why I thought this was possible, I'm really not sure. What is wrong with me and my horrible, warped, wrong time sense?!? And I want a pony and a unicorn and a transporter and to always be on time. And wishing makes it so <3 <3 <3)
Just as I was starting to really enjoy this wet weather affair, the sky started really dumping on me. So many issues with this.
1. my map was not in any way waterproof.
I don't have a very good memory for maps. When I'm hiking somewhere unfamiliar, I am constantly looking at the map. Checking the trail and the contour lines and, etc., making sure I don't miss a turn and trying to pinpoint my exact location at all times.
2. My rain gear- not as waterproof as rain gear should be. I think my fairly cheap Helly Hansen rain pants are going back to REI (this is why I tried them out now, and not on a long backpacking trip). Luckily, I'd brought plenty of warm layers, so when one got really wet I'd put on another. And I stayed pretty warm while moving. Though not quite so much when the wind picked up. Wind+Rain=Brrr!
3. Turns out, there's a difference between hiking in the rain and hiking after it's already been raining for like 4 days.
I had an extra approximately 4 pounds of mud on my boots at all times. This was especially distressing when trying to go uphill- after using lots of effort to pull my foot up out of the muck and raise it up the hill and transferring my weight I would...slide back down about 2/3 of what I'd just gone up. Augh!!!!!
Also, mud isn't the right word for it. After washing my boots off today I can safely say that it was actually clay. Like, really, I could probably make a small pot with what I took off of my boots today. In fact, maybe I will. If I can find the spot in my backyard where I threw it earlier tonight.
Also, it's really hard to go downhill when you're constantly sliding and there's no traction. Yes, I slipped and fell and was completely covered in mud. No, I didn't take a picture of that. Sorry.
4. What with all this slipping and sliding and grunting, I seem to have pulled something or other in my hip area. This made going up pretty damn painful. I'm still recuperating. But will be fine with rest and ice.
5. Between the extra clay poundage and the aching hip and the sliding, I was going really slowly. Like, really, really slowly.
Now, part of the reason I'd felt safe leaving so late is that the trail was kind of like a bottom-heavy figure 8. The big (bottom) loop was about 5 miles and the top loop was 3 and I knew I could cut off the top loop if it was getting too late and just not hit the campsite I wanted to check out.
However, there was still a point, for about a half hour, where I was NOT having fun. Where I was kind of panicky. Where I really thought I might be spending the night on the trail in the rain without a tent or sleeping bag and in crappy rain gear (see #2). [But, may it be pointed out, With enough food and water and some medical supplies.]
Basically, the first part of the loop (the part before meeting up with the top half of the figure 8) was seeming to take Way too long. I attribute this to #3, 4, and 5. Also, #1. Careful reading of the map (now that it's not getting ruined by raindrops every extra second I peruse it) shows me that the first part of the loop is by far the longest and a lot of uphill. But, in my rush to avoid hiking in darkness and to make it to rehearsal, I hadn't taken a super careful look at the map, intending to pull it out whenever I had questions, not realizing that each time I brought it out in the rain it would get less and less useful.
So, it was seeming like it was taking way too long and I was seeing property line fences that weren't on the map (and the EBRPD usually puts them in) so I started thinking that maybe I had somehow missed a turn in my desire to hole up inside my hood to avoid the rain. It usually does not take me 2 hours to hike 3ish miles!
Luckily, just as all hope was starting to feel lost, the trail curved sharply downhill. Now, I remembered that the map had mentioned a 200 foot elevation loss after the 700-800 foot elevation gain. (And, now that I can look at the map at leisure, I see that it was even more dramatic than that. And how very flat the entire rest of the hike after this first half-loop is!) So, I was faced with a difficult choice. Do I assume I'm right and go down lots and lots of mountain I'll just have to hike back up if I'm wrong? Or do I turn around and go back the way I came because then I can at least be fairly confident I can find my way back to the car. Even in the dark, with my trusty headlamp that I never hike without.
I decided to trust my orienteering skills and descended 400 or so vertical feet in about a half mile, slip-sliding all the way. When I got to the bottom, the clouds literally parted.
It stopped raining on me! And I could see that I was right where I needed to be. At that middle point on a figure 8! Huzzah!
And since it wasn't raining, I could look at my soggy, sticking together, starting to tear map and see that the rest of my hike would be fairly flat. I did decide to ignore the 3-mile top loop to the campsite. It looked super self-explanatory and my hip was really hurting.
On the way back, I took a few good pictures whenever I wasn't going to get the camera drizzled on. This includes a great picture of a pool of mud that looks just like the chocolate river from the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie- exact same color!!!
Luckily, the road was flat most of the way because going up was really painful. There were a few spots where there were choices to make and, although I was fairly sure they all went to the same place because there was only one trail marked on the map, it was frustrating given that I just wanted to stop hiking on an injury. And get warm. In due time, I saw cars on the road. And then I saw my mint-chip ice cream colored park district car in the lot!
I did my best to not get mud all over the car. Turns out I needed all 3 pairs of socks I had brought in order to always keep my feet dry. You can never bring enough socks when hiking in rain! Trust me on this. They are light and make life so much happier. Avoid misery! Always bring extra socks!! I changed into an entire new set of clothes, including other shoes. Though the boots I'd acquired at Kai's clothing swap had served me quite well minus a minor blister.
So then I made the hour drive back, which became longer when I took a wrong turn or two. I think my navigation skills were a little taxed at that point.
The hardest part, though, was dropping the car off and then getting on my bike for the three-mile ride up the hill from Redwood Schoolhouse to Skyline, which is pretty tough in any circumstances. I was tired, in the dark, in the rain, with an injured hip.And the cars driving by really fast with their headlights are scary. And I was hungry. Waah. And then, when I got to the normally fun/scary coast down one of the steepest city streets I've ever seen, I did not feel up to the challenge of flying down that road at the speeds its angle makes my bike go at, while there was water on the road. I'm still a pretty novice biker. So I walked down that street until it got somewhat flatter. Finally, I got back to Fruitvale Bart. At which point it was about 9:00 and there was no way I was making it to rehearsal which, being in the city and far from Bart was about 40 minutes away and ended at 10. So I gratefully headed home, jumped in the shower, and ignored my bag of soppy heavy muddiness.
I actually can't wait to go back some other time. I'd love to see this place in the sunshine. And it's a really nice adult-beginner backpack. I'm assuming the campsite is nice. The trail was beautiful!
If you made it all the way to the end of this, comment!
I think it's pretty interesting. But then, I'm a bit of a narcissist. Perhaps I'm merely recording this for my own gratification and memories.
But I hope you enjoyed my Epic tale of the Epic hike of Epicness. Epic.
Oh, and the next day I went on a job interview and got the job! But more on that later.
- Mood:accomplished
In a little bar encircled on three sides by his movie theater. Why is the universe taunting me?
But the night included a wonderful friend-date. And many other really great friends, many of whom I didn't even expect to be hanging out with.
Pillow fight was fun. This was the first one I've made it into the city for. Really, really great.
I didn't take pictures because everyone else was. Like wow, so many cameras. I think every tourist in San Francisco was watching this event.
Here's a great photo Ian got of me. Rawr!
- Mood:
sleepy
ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL!
Boo-yah!
Happy almost Obama day!
In other news...
If you've been wondering where I've been these last few weeks, I met a boy. I like him a lot and he feels the same. Wish me luck! Eeeeee!
It's been a good 2009.
- Mood:
hopeful
http://tinyurl.com/9479md
People like him are the reason I do these things. As much as it's fun for me, I really like to brighten someone's day and help them to think outside the ordinary. And give the San Francisco tourists their money's worth.
I think my friends when I was younger were fantasy folks. Now, a lot of them are sci-fi. There's a difference.
Went to my first SantaCon on Saturday. Much fun.
Especially ice blocking (like sledding, but on ice, down a grassy hill) and snowball fighting in Dolores Park.
This pic is me with my fellow Costco Soulmate Trading Outlet employees.
More pics (from my camera phone) can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/danscr
My roommates and I will be having a party the weekend of M.L.K. day to celebrate the fact that we live on M.L.K. Way. It will probably be Saturday night.
Details to come later. We have a hot tub. We'll probably do something artsy with folks who are interested. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some sort of live music. Maybe my friends the Paper Crocodiles who are a really fun bluegrassy/old-timey band. Maybe just jam time. Quite possibly fire spinning- two of my roomies are part of the fire arts collective. Other crazy mischief.
Anyway, you have been warned.
- Location:Martin Luther King Jr. Way
- Music:Simon and Garfunkel
**My fellow Propeller Scout, David Cohn, founded something awesome that I think everyone should check out. It's a project called Spot Us:
Spot.Us is a nonprofit project of the Center for Media Change. We are an open source project, to pioneer “community funded reporting.” Through Spot.Us the public can commission journalists to do investigations on important and perhaps overlooked stories. All donations are tax deductible and if a news organization buys exclusive rights to the content, your donation will be reimbursed. Otherwise, all content is made available to all through a Creative Commons license. It’s a marketplace where independent reporters, community members and news organizations can come together and collaborate.**
(Also, apparently, fark.com has a separate wilwheaton tag. So now I do too. I <3 his blog.)
I love scientific studies that show that people need to go into nature.
Science! It works!
http://scienceblogs.com/cortex/2008/1
At one point, I felt very powerful, like a force of nature, like fire, clearing away all the litter and duff so that seeds would be able to get to the humus (soil). This reminded me of a day recently that I was explaining redwood reproduction to some fifth graders so I had one kid come down and be the redwood tree and a kid in an orange shirt come be fire. The "fire kid" got to kick all the redwood needles out of the way but couldn't take down the tree. Until I added three more kids so the fire was bigger and they were able to take down the redwood who I then had lie on the ground and "root sprout" by lifting his arms and legs in the air like redwood tree roots becoming new trees. That was fun. I love being creative and coming up with new, hands-on ways to teach things.
I'm still up because I keep hoping that if I just keep hitting refresh, the 51.8 to 48.2 will switch around by two measly percentage points each way. Maybe San Francisco hasn't been counted yet.
In light of this, I wanted to pass on this link, that maatling posted on his journal. Reading it just now, I actually got teary. http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/t
As fucked up as this is, at least the percentage has gone down about 9 points from the last time California voted on this issue. In 2000, 61% of California voters approved Prop 22 which stated that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."
We've still got a long way to go, but at least I can see that there is progress being made.
Also,
OBAMA YAY!!!!
If you live in the East Bay (Alameda or Contra Costa counties), there's a measure to extend the East Bay Regional Parks Bond program with no tax increase. This was a bond passed in 1988 and, after 20 years, it is up for vote again.
Seemed pretty straightforward. Keep funding our parks. "The EBRPD is widely considered to be one of the most succesful examples of integrated parklands in any urban area in America." That's not just rhetoric from the website, it's true. People come from all over the country to check us out. And I genuinely like everyone I've met who works for the parks and almost all of their policies.
So I really wasn't worried about this passing.
Until I got a letter in the mail. Someone messed up the ballots and forgot to put the name/description of WW on the ballot. They supposedly remedied this by sending a letter out to all registered voters. And the Yes on WW campaign seems to have expanded it's efforts.
But I am worried that people won't vote for WW because they will have never heard of it or won't notice it on the ballot or will just forget about it.
So please, please Remember WW. It's on there, hiding somewhere.
And if you want more information, you can go to http://www.yesforparks.org/
- Mood: worried
Also, there is not-disgusting Indian food available in Fremont after 10pm. Who woulda thought. Technology is great! Though I do have a bit of a stomach ache now. Kaila, you too? Or is it something other than the food?
- Mood: chipper
- Music:Chess- it's Abba in musical theater form!
The first is some folks at Obama's campaign headquarters performing One Day More. Funny and awesome.
The second is a US Army staff seargeant singing Bring Him Home.
He has a wonderful voice.
And the relevance of the song for him is clear.
I teared up a little.
For some reason, embedding has been turned off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaRaqQ__
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