My Halloween This Year

I am oh so grateful today for rain! It has finally rained here after six months of living here. What a perfect gift to finally make it feel like fall for Halloween. I get to wear my wellies, sweaters, and hats. Last night Ceej and I watched one of my very favorite movies, "The Corpse Bride". Love that Tim Burton, and his beautifully dark films. It put me in the perfect ghoulish mood.

Started reading Bram Stoker's Dracula a couple of weeks ago to put me in the frightening mood. It's my first book of a tradition I'm starting...each October I read a classic "horror" book. Next year it will be "Frankenstein", "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", or something else that will scare my heart out of my chest. Loving Dracula. I'm not going to finish tonight though...we're moving to a different apartment this weekend so I'll be boxing and cleaning.


Costume: Early twentieth-century paper boy handing out "papers" which will really be Nader literature!! The costume itself is pretty boring, but here's my reasons:

1- I'm usually a creature from Middle Earth or a character from a Brother's Grimm story--those costumes are all boxed up, and I don't want them getting wet in the rain anyway.

2-I have the clothes for a paper boy for some reason, and they'll be warm.

Now I just need a party to go to!

Till The Sun Turns Black

Folk artists have a beautiful way of talking about ugly things in this world. Loving Ray especially these days. This song has been singing in my head:

Can you see the young and pretty

Confident as cops

Blooming, laughing in the shops

Till the sun turns black

Can you see the old and lonely

Walking through the park

Pushing grocery carts

Till the sun turns black

Can you see the corporate man

He's winning on the telephone

His possessions are his throne

Till the sun turns black

Can you see him in his lounger

Watching TV in the dark

Waiting for a spark

Till the sun turns black

Oh oh oh oh oh

Who are we

Oh oh oh oh oh

Who are we

Who are we

Can you see the working classes

Trudging through their days

Time goes slowly when you're only waiting

Till the sun turns black

Can you see the wise man simply

Living, loving quietly

Every breath he takes eternity

Till the sun turns black

Let's Do Something About Politics!

So I think I'm a little slow on this one. Why haven't I heard of Naomi Wolf nor her books and her movie? Ceej heard an interview with her, and we immediately started our research.

A few years ago author Naomi Wolf traveled across the country talking about what she sees as threats to American liberty, and what struck her was how powerless Americans felt to make change. So, she set out to learn from the nation's original revolutionaries what freedom actually means, and she quotes the 18th century philosopher Diderot when she says "everything must be shaken up, without exception and without circumspection." - Radiowest

The End of America should be required reading for every American. Rather than giving us a partisan 600-page tome on the crimes of the Bush administration, Naomi Wolf lays out clearly and concisely how we as a people have allowed our government to move perilously close to fascism and points the blame squarely where it belongs: at ourselves. Starting with the premise that it only takes ten changes to move a country from democracy to fascism, she points out the subtle, overlooked ways in which our government is making this happen. Wolf is the new Paul Revere, warning us that only we as citizens can stop the march toward an American fascist state. Anyone who reads this will realize that we are close to the end of real democracy in America, and if we don't stand up and demand real change now, it will soon be far too late.Recommended by Lynn, Powells.com

As the practice of democracy becomes a lost art, Americans are increasingly desperate for a restored nation. Many have a general sense that the "system" is in disorder -- if not on the road to functional collapse. But though it is easy to identify our political problems, the solutions are not always as clear. In Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries, bestselling author Naomi Wolf illustrates the breathtaking changes that can take place when ordinary citizens engage in the democratic system the way the founders intended and tells how to use that system, right now, to change your life, your community, and ultimately, the nation.

Happy Birthday Mom!

So my mom's birthday was yesterday. Don't worry, I didn't forget. I just needed to find this photo because it's one of my favorites. My mom is now 62-years-old. I can tell you that because my mom doesn't mind getting older, for the most part.

ode to my mom

When she was young she would pray every night for wings.

She is a faerie of the wisest.

Favorite passtime: laughing with family.

Has a deep love for music, and is a master organist.

Is a woman of autumn.

Generous.

Has simple desires.

Has few, but lovely & meaningful possessions.

Gives me her childhood books.

Loves Beatrix Potter.

Is the neighborhood favorite.

Has mastered the "art of conversation"

Is an optimist.

Open-hearted and open-minded.

Loves hymns of praise and joy.

Faithful-to God and to people.

The most beautiful and simple woman I know.

Oh, to be like Mom!

Someday

Someday I will visit the British Isles for many months and years. That is where my daydreaming takes me...to green hills and jagged coastlines, to places where my ancestors lived, to a place where my studies of Medieval British Literature and poetry will drench my soul. Here's a little somethin'-somethin' from James Joyce, the famous Irish poet.

The twilight turns from amethyst

to deep and deeper blue,

The lamp fills with a pale green glow

The trees of the avenue.

The old piano plays an air,

Sedate and slow and gay;

She bends upon the yellow keys,

Her head inclines this way.

Shy thoughts and grave wide eyes and hands

That wander as they list--

The twilight burns to darker blue

With lights of amethyst.

Howard Zinn Voting For Nader!

This just in: Howard Zinn has switched his support from Obama to Nader. He called his support for Obama a "mistake." Zinn is most known, I think, for his book The People's History of the United States. Here's a little more about him:

Howard Zinn is a historian, playwright, and social activist. He was a shipyard worker and Air Force bombardier before he went to college under the GI Bill and received his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has taught at Spelman College and Boston University, and has been a visiting professor at the University of Paris and the University of Bologna. He has received the Thomas Merton Award, the Eugene V. Debs Award, the Upton Sinclair Award, and the Lannan Literary Award. He lives in Auburndale, Massachusetts.

Strange Politics

Less than a week to go before elections. Everyone is election crazy. Me included. Some of you are interested in my views--if only to criticize my idealism. I wanted to tell you what really matters to me when it comes to politics, and I wanted to tell you some stories to illustrate why I think our country has some strange politics indeed.

First, I wish that our country's foremost concern was human beings, not the "bottom-line" or the "economy" (which really means the bottom-line and the economy are guages of how much "stuff" we can buy).

The war in Iraq is killing people--if you haven't noticed, that's what war does. 90% of all casualties in this Iraq war are civilians. It breaks my heart a thousand times over. There can never be reverence in a war. Our reasons for going to war were quite irreverent as well. I'll admit, that I was supportive of this war in the very beginning. But I'll also admit that I was easily swayed by media and crooked politicians. No one mentions the unneccessary and brutal deaths that result. I wish we could rest our guns, and use our words more. I wish we would talk about people.

Universal healthcare. I know too many people who have illnesses, that they could not have prevented, and are not insured. This, too, breaks my heart. What happens when things "get serious?" Will they face bankruptcy and death? Why is it that we are so willing to use socialism to bail out wall street crooks, but we won't help people who are sick and afflicted?

Two months ago I sat on a plane next to a nice man who wanted to talk politics. Because I was reading a book he thought it was obvious that I was "liberal." (I hope those of you who don't consider yourself "liberal" are a bit offended, because why is it that only "liberals" read?) Anyway, he told me he was conservative. He volunteered his reason why: because he did not like big government...he did not like regulation (though he says this whole financial crisis is a product of lack of values, virtues, and morals)...and he especially did not like the idea of "lazy" people benefitting from his hard-earned money. I don't know how many of you know people who run into some seriously bad financial luck, and could use some temporary help. I think we all want to help people who can't help themselves. Of course, there will be people who "work the system" but I really don't care. I don't care about my money. Like my mom and brother said recently about hoarding money, "What are you going to do, count it?" I wish we would talk about people.

Secondly, I wish we would talk about stewardship, rather than ownership. I don't think a country is prosperous because it can buy a lot of stuff, which we all know is junk and meaningless anyway. I think a prosperous living includes family healthy and well, gardens, beautiful places to have picnics and to breathe, art, and yoga, of course. Is it really worth it to have giant trucks to drive down the block, or to have the latest craft sitting on your mantle? Is it worth it to have more fuel to drive to the store where you'll buy more junk? I am guilty of all of the above. But I want to share with you that Ceej and I have made a goal not to buy anything new, to use things until they are beyond repair, and continue to ride bikes and walk. Sorry for this cliche, but if I can do it, you certainly can. I wasn't born singing songs of stewardship, preservation, etc. I had to have some rude awakenings myself.

I think politics should be about taking care of each other and the earth. I'm tired of hearing about "the economy" as most important. What about people? What about hearts? What about souls?

For Your Reading Enjoyment...or not

Here's an article about "throwing your vote away"

and

One about Biden/Obama plans for "foreign policy"

Snow In California!

I am aware that I do an aweful lot of complaining when it comes to California. However, it does have its majestic beauties...I only wish they were closer than 2 hours away. A couple weeks ago, Ceej and I drove out to the Tahoe area, and were pleasantly surprised with stormy skies and a dusting of snow on the ground. We were absolutely giddy. Hooray for the changing seasons!

Women Protecting Wilderness Campaign

SUWA is launching a fantastic campaign to get women (men can, of course, contribute if they want!) to speak and share their love for the wilderness. I think this is a fantastic idea. You can visit this site here to learn more about it, and to learn how you can help. People are always asking me, "What can I do to really make a difference?" The first thing is we must speak out. Silence and fear need to be overcome. Then share what is important to you...take people to the places you love. Give books away that have changed your life. Paint a picture that shows how you felt when you first saw the red rock of southern Utah. There's so much we can do, especially as women.

A bit from the site:

The Power of Women:
1. Women comprise a majority of registered voters.
2. Women make as much as 85% of all consumer purchases.
3. Women are the most important educators in society, both as teachers where we dominate the profession, and as parents where we still outnumber men.
4. Women are starting new businesses at a faster rate than men.

We should feel empowered by these facts. We have a tremendous influence in the marketplace, in the business world, at the polls, and in the next generation. We have the power to create the world we want to see in the future. The best first step is to start deciding what kind of future we want. What do we want the future of our public lands to be? We need to start the conversation!

If Obama Wins

In the words of Nader himself, this is what will happen if Obama wins:

You take the 20 leading groups supporting him in the liberal-progressive pantheon: labor, anti-poverty, civil rights, women's rights, gay-lesbian rights, environment, consumer - you name it - not one of them is putting any demands on him. Unconditional voting for the least worst of the two parties means that your vote has no political leverage whatsoever. It allows Obama to take it for granted, and not give the anti-war people anything because he knows he has the anti-war vote. Then they go to the right wing and slice off a few votes there by going more corporate and flip-flopping on offshore drilling. This is the same merry-go-round every four years. The liberal intelligentsia is doomed unless they solve this problem of unconditional voting for the least worst candidate.

Read the rest of this interesting article here. You should also read this great article by Amy Goodman, Change Big Donors Can Believe In.

Consumed

A. Lincoln

Thucydides, ancient Greek philosopher

I have changed my senior thesis topic for the third time. It's due in less than two months. What do these two men have to do with each other? Hopefully I'll be able to tell you. I know many of you who have written a real-length thesis in graduate school laugh at the relative "smallness" of this assignment. But for me, it is overwhelming. It's been a year since I began. This post is to apologize for unanswered emails, and neglected commenting on your blogs. I still try to post something everyday for my own sanity and leisure. But please do understand if I don't comment on your blog, or take an extra long time to reply to your emails.

Missing Halloween & Fall!

I wonder if Sacramento even knows that Halloween is only a week away. I've only seen one house in our entire neighborhood that is decorated. I am oh so sad this fall. No Halloween decorations. No pretty leaves. No cool, sweater weather. Still 87 degrees. Hot. Everyone is still in their "bling" tank-tops, and driving cars with tops down and music blaring. Fall is my favorite season of the whole year, and I'm sad to be missing it here. According to the locals I shouldn't expect "fall" as I know it to ever be here. So so sad. This is reason enough to head back to Salt Lake City. All in good time, yes?

Simon Critchley "Branding Democracy: Barack Obama and the American Void"

This video is 94 minutes long. But I know a lot of you wasted 90 minutes watching at least one of the presidential/vice-presidential debates (as I did). So take some serious time. Very interesting and informative. Some of the better 94 minutes you'll have.

Reading

My dear friend, Nicole, gave me this lovely, lovely book for my birthday. I started reading it this morning. It is absolutely fascinating and ,somehow, healing to read. Some excerpts follow:

Right now it [reverence] has no place in secular discussions of ethics or political theory. Even more surprisingly, reverence is missing from modern discussions of the ancient cultures that prized it.

Reverence begins in a deep understanding of human limitations; from this grows the capacity to be in awe of whatever we believe lies outside our control--God, truth, justice, nature, even death. The capacity for awe, as it grows, brings with it the capacity for respecting fellow human beings, flaws and all.

Reverence is the virtue that keeps leaders from trying to take control of other people's lives...Reverence has more to do with politics than with religion...power without reverence--that is a catastrophe for all concerned...Politics without reverence is blind to the general good and deaf to advice from people who are powerless.

Wherever people try to act together, they hedge themselves around with some form of ceremony or good manners, and the observance of this can be an act of reverence. Reverence lies behind civility and all the graces that make life in society bearable and pleasant.

We have ceremonies in our own time too, but we try not to think about what they mean. In fact, I believe reverence gives meaning to much that we do, yet the word has almost passed out of our vocabulary. Because we do not understand reverence, we don't really know what we are doing in much of our lives, and therefore we are in no position to think about how to do it better.

Reading

Why Americans Hate Politics, by E.J. Dionne, Jr.

I started reading this book last week. I've only read the introduction, and I'm already in love. This book was written in 1991, and I wish there was a second updated edition. It talks about how both liberals and conservatives are to blame for giving the American public false choices and false issues. Below are a few excerpts that I really enjoyed.

"...for so many years our politics has been trivial and even stupid."

"Americans have begun to doubt their ability to improve the world through politics."

"Americans view politics with boredom and detachment. For most of us, politics is increasingly abstract, a spectator sport barely worth watching."

"Voters doubt that elections give them any real control over what the government does, and half of them don't bother to cast ballots."

"Social gaps...grow wider...We have less and less to do with each other, meaning that we feel few obligations to each other and are less and less inclined to vindicate each other's rights."

"On issue after issue, there is consensus on where the country should move or at least on what we should be arguing about; liberalism and conservatism make it impossible for that consensus to express itself."

"We are still trapped in the 1960s."

"By continuing to live in the 1960s, conservatives and liberals have distorted their own doctrines and refused to face up to the contradictions within their creeds. Both sides constantly invoke individual "rights" and then criticize each other for evading issues involving individual and collective responsibility. Each side claims to have a communitarian vision but backs away from community whenever its demands come into conflict with one of its cherished virtues."

"Now, insofar as voters identify with groups, it is often with abstract national groups rather than concrete local ones. An Italian machinist in a Detroit suburb may identify himself more with his fellow gun owners than with his ethnic group, his neighborhood, or his fellow workers. Since he believes that politics will do little to improve his life or that of his community, he votes defensively: If the government won't do anything for him, he damn well won't let it do anything against him, such as tax him more heavily or take away his gun. It is not an irrational response, given the current state of our politics."

Why I Don't Support Obama

First of all, I chose this photo because I think it is exactly what we won't get if Obama is elected. I don't see any real or tangible evidence that Obama will bring "progress" to politics in America. Second of all, I haven't even mentioned my feelings about McCain/Palin on my blog because I figure they're not even worth mentioning.

Here's a list (borrowed from this site because it is well put) of reasons why I don't support Obama. Obama supports the following:

1. Increasing the size and budget of the military
2. Leaving 150,000 residual troops in IRaq
3. Funding for the Iraq war with no timetable for withdrawal
4. Escalated war in Afghanistan and use of force against Pakistan and Iran
5. “Terrorist” rhetoric that obscures US fault in conflicts
6. Support for the Israel lobby and denigration of Palestinian fighters as terrorists
7. So-called “free” trade supported by trade deals like NAFTA
8. Off-shore oil drilling
9. Big nuclear power and wasteful corn ethanol
10. Defiance of the constitution through telecom immunity and the Patriot Act
11. Refusal to support single payer healthcare
12. Refusal to perform Constitutional obligation and hold impeachment hearings (or even censure George Bush)

If you can show me where Obama DOESN'T support any of the above listed, please do.

Dreaming of New Haven

Was talking late into the night with a dear friend last night. Talking about politics, dreams, education, etc. Thank heaven a million times over for kindred spirits!

My friend told me about her experience in classrooms while she visited other friends recently at Yale in New Haven, CT. I long for a beautiful and meaningful education with professors who truly love teaching, and who have a gift of broadening your view while making you feel you are a competent person who can really make a difference.

Been discouraged lately with "superiors" in all shapes and forms telling me I can't, I'm too passionate, and making me feel like I'm some how a ridiculous person. Sorry to vent. But really been struggling with it. I'm longing for a place and for people who want to know what I think, and want to know what I dream about, and then I can hear from other people about what they think, feel, and dream.

Nader with Jim Lehrer

Ralph Nader was interviewd on the Jim Lehrer New Hour a couple nights ago. To read/watch/listen go here. I hope you are all watching as Obama & McCain fail to fix the root of our financial woas. I hope you are listening when Obama admits to working with corporations rather than with us little people. I hope you are listening when neither Obama nor McCain support solar energy (Obama supports "clean" coal...someone should tell him there's no such thing as "clean" coal). I also hope you know that there's no such thing as a "spoiler". If you want to throw your vote away vote for Obama or McCain. They'll keep us going in a bad direction for sure.

New York City: The Wedding

Mim's and Martin's wedding was oh so fabulous! What a beautiful over-cast day we had. The ceremony was simple, but wise. The photos in Central Park were so picturesque. Dinner at I Tre Merli was beautiful, happy, and oh so yummy. What an intimate wedding! It was so good to see friends who flew in from all over the country. Mim & Martin are such a beautiful couple. I wish them all the best. Thanks for inviting me to join in such an important and lovely day!

New York City: Cute Little Bride's Maids

Mim's little nieces seriously captured my heart! Their Scandinavian blond hair and fair features made me melt. So cute! I loved their plaid dresses and braided hair. I had to be careful to keep my distance now and then so as not to look too much like a stalker!

Sad Story: Robbed

A couple months ago Ceej and I experienced a tragedy. Our Nikon D300 was stolen. So if you see anyone with our camera, please tell them to kindly return it. I mention this only because I am sad my photo ability is limited to an old digital point and shoot. I'll have to dig up the ol' film cameras...but you might never see those photos as I do not have a negative scanner, or any scanner of serious quality. I apologize for the lack of original beautiful photos. Maybe some day our Nikon faeries will bring back our baby.

New York City: Wave Hill

I had no idea this beautiful refuge existed in New York City. It was so refreshing to come to such lovely grounds. I came with Bea, Olive, and their pre-school group. The kids were oh so fun. They loved the grass, flowers, dirt, and bubbles! I was grateful to spend time with such genuine women and kids. It gave me hope that it is possible to raise well-behaved and smart children. Hip, hip, hooray!

Birthday Report

I had a very lovely birthday thanks to Ceej, family, and friends. Ceej texted me all day little fun facts about my birthday. My favorite facts are 1) My Native American Zodiac sign is a raven! 2) And my plant is ivy! So so perfect! Ceej also bought me a yummy lunch: a cucumber & tomato sandwich from Old Soul Bakery, and two delicious cupcakes! He also sent my the most beautiful fall bouquet of flowers I've ever seen. It really made it feel like fall. I was sad that it was still 84 degrees here in California. Later when Ceej got off work he surprised me with a beautiful neclace of black pearls! I love them! We went to dinner at Mulvaney's where I got Butternut Squash soup, Squash Tortelli, and pumpkin pie for dessert. Too much squash? No way! We ended the night by watching "Little Women"...my favorite New England movie.

Thanks for all the phone calls, emails, and gifts. I am truly blessed to know such generous and kind people!

October 14th: My 27th Birthday

BIRTHDAY WISHES:
1. I wish for a yummy chocolate and/or spice birthday cake
2. I wish for any menu item that includes butternut squash
3. I wish for family and friends closer by
4. I wish for beautiful fall leaves...like those in New England
5. I wish for a party in the countryside
6. I wish that you all have a beautiful fall day (I am still having Summer days here in California, and I'm not too happy about it).
7. I wish for lovely lives for all of you.

BIRTHDAY GRATEFULS:
1. I am grateful for Ceej. He is kind, generous, and so much fun to be with. I am truly blessed.
2. I am grateful for a wonderful family who stays close.
3. I am grateful for a lovely mother who is wise.
4. I am grateful for the earth, and for its constant support and beauty.
5. I am grateful for friends who show me how to live beautifully and purposefully.
6. I am grateful for school, books, and lectures.
7. I am grateful for poetry, art, and music.
8. I am grateful for autumn leaves, pumpkins, and the harvest.
9. I am grateful for fairies, ents, and elves.

Life Is Sweet.