After a long absence from spouting off about whatever, I find myself compelled to write about one of the great visit experiences I have known. I have been dithering about, hoping I might stumble upon a new mindset for myself. In pursuit of this undefined, new place, I planned a trip to Portland, Oregon. Lucky for me, several friends were on hand to gentle me through a sweet weekend.
Several months ago I arranged airfare so that I would be forced to embark on a visit to the dreamed of new location. To be fair, a chunk of my family is located on the west coast somewhere between Southern California and Southern Alaska, so Oregon is hardly a stretch. It is the one part of the coast unvisited by me, making it irresistible as unknown territory. Also, several important friends have talked up the region and I already know how to pronounce Willamette Valley and Couch Street, surely portents of belonging in the City of Roses. Who can resist a possibly errant city slogan, "Keep Portland Weird"?
City 'founders' (the European types who showed up first with a thirst for real estate and pre-lottery fundraising ambitions) Francis Pettygrove and Asa Lovejoy each wished to name the new city after his respective home town. In 1845, this controversy was settled with a coin toss which Pettygrove won in a series of two out of three tosses (he haled from Portland, ME). The coin used for this decision, now known as the Portland Penny is on display in the headquarters of the Oregon Historical Society, a place worthy of more time than I allotted for my visit (note that much of this bit is borrowed from Wikipedia!).
Upon arrival, a good friend scooped me up at the Airport and whisked me off to Fourth of July Celebrations in neighborhood Portland to rival anything across America. On offer were pulled pork, lamb burgers, salads of every type, beer and wine, children at their best and, might I mention, a few fireworks! Pyrotechnics drove the day's agenda, but conversation won my interest until darkness descended and these lovely Portlanders included me with no requirements. Hours later the fireworks were still lighting the sky and my favorite memory of a hands-on celebration for Independence Day is now of the Portland variety. I still am timid around things that go boom, but I almost felt I could light something.
Three hours into my trip and I was smitten!
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Friday, October 7, 2011
Two Feet in the Air - Jumping Jacks with the First Lady
Just when I thought I wasn't happy with my country any more, Michelle Obama has created an event that makes me smile. She is attempting to help kids set a new world record for the largest number of people 'jumping jacks' at one time. This takes little time, it's good for us and it brings light hearted purpose at a time when we need to stand together.
Go Michelle!
Check out the National Geographic website for details
http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/lets-jump-community/
Go Michelle!
Check out the National Geographic website for details
http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/lets-jump-community/
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Meditations from 100 Feet in the Air
One of the great joys in my life is living 100 feet in the air over a gorgeous green park with mature hardwood trees, a wildlife pond (yes, there are blue herons) and a major body of water. I like to call it Lake TV as a friend mentioned that I have a wide screen! There is always something to view and think upon. It brings together nature and commerce in the most interesting of intersections.
The nature part of the advantage is obvious. With such an active body of water (color change and conspicuous wave action), bird life and cloud formation, there are literally changes every minute. Clouds at this time of year bring special beauty and challenge with both color and shape, and especially the storms they contain. A couple of times every year there is the magic of a double rainbow, a rain display in a single, tiny location or a glasslike body of blue/grey water to soothe the most troubled spirit.
With the shipping lane, trolleys in the park and cars, scooters and packs of cyclists, the commercial element might be less obviously full of artistic display. Yet, the removal of 100 feet gives energy and structure to the display. This is a world that diminishes any personal or inward trauma. The magesty of size reduces my personal imprint. This is a wonderland that can really dish it out with downed trees, instant lagoons and the thrash of post natural stress-syndrome, not unlike the stuff we small mammal types experience.
Here is a sense of purpose out of time. The rhythm is macro-dimensional, I can react, but there is not instant need. As an artist best grounded in sound, the advantage of having immediate and constant access to such visual grandeur is astounding and forces me to grow, even if it comes with a bout of tears or stirs yearning I cannot stem or escape. Viewed from the safety of 100 feet, structural steel and cement and the knowledge the I am a speck, this is a new version of symphonic awakening that gives something new every hour, every day and certainly every season.
The nature part of the advantage is obvious. With such an active body of water (color change and conspicuous wave action), bird life and cloud formation, there are literally changes every minute. Clouds at this time of year bring special beauty and challenge with both color and shape, and especially the storms they contain. A couple of times every year there is the magic of a double rainbow, a rain display in a single, tiny location or a glasslike body of blue/grey water to soothe the most troubled spirit.
With the shipping lane, trolleys in the park and cars, scooters and packs of cyclists, the commercial element might be less obviously full of artistic display. Yet, the removal of 100 feet gives energy and structure to the display. This is a world that diminishes any personal or inward trauma. The magesty of size reduces my personal imprint. This is a wonderland that can really dish it out with downed trees, instant lagoons and the thrash of post natural stress-syndrome, not unlike the stuff we small mammal types experience.
Here is a sense of purpose out of time. The rhythm is macro-dimensional, I can react, but there is not instant need. As an artist best grounded in sound, the advantage of having immediate and constant access to such visual grandeur is astounding and forces me to grow, even if it comes with a bout of tears or stirs yearning I cannot stem or escape. Viewed from the safety of 100 feet, structural steel and cement and the knowledge the I am a speck, this is a new version of symphonic awakening that gives something new every hour, every day and certainly every season.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Closure as a Device to Resist Change
Recently I read an excellent article about Agile methodology (this is software speak) and in it the author really got up my nose with the topic of change. I routinely seek out change, sometimes at the cost of deeper exploration because I'm too quick to jump on the change bus. Our author said that uncertainty, being a state that many humans seek to avoid, leads to a longing for closure. But that closure is actually a hedge against change.
Then a friend commented on closure in a personal way that really brought my quest into focus. He said he disliked the drive for closure as a false thing and used a striking example, the loss of his brother. He commented that he found friends who stated that old chestnut, "at least you have closure," superficial and unhelpful. He did not have any kind of closure even after numerous years. And I'm certain their mother did not find closure with the loss of her child.
At the time we had this conversation I never dreamed I too would lose a brother (early). This loss has led me to redefine my thinking on change, loss and recovery. Imagine a chilling of the planet and that would describe my feelings on this topic six months on.
Ever read a book with an ending that is so bad you wished you could unread it? I am never comforted just because I know the ending. If I hated the conclusion, I find myself longing for a loophole, something more open ended that lets me participate or just dangle in the breeze with thoughts about what might have been. So you can see why I might prefer the end of the story to continue on a path with an unknown ending, my heart can continue to hope.
Then a friend commented on closure in a personal way that really brought my quest into focus. He said he disliked the drive for closure as a false thing and used a striking example, the loss of his brother. He commented that he found friends who stated that old chestnut, "at least you have closure," superficial and unhelpful. He did not have any kind of closure even after numerous years. And I'm certain their mother did not find closure with the loss of her child.
At the time we had this conversation I never dreamed I too would lose a brother (early). This loss has led me to redefine my thinking on change, loss and recovery. Imagine a chilling of the planet and that would describe my feelings on this topic six months on.
Ever read a book with an ending that is so bad you wished you could unread it? I am never comforted just because I know the ending. If I hated the conclusion, I find myself longing for a loophole, something more open ended that lets me participate or just dangle in the breeze with thoughts about what might have been. So you can see why I might prefer the end of the story to continue on a path with an unknown ending, my heart can continue to hope.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Noise from Protest Central
Having settled into my second day of life at the Capitol, it seems that noise levels can act as an excellerent for the crowd. Or is it just group think? Midday inside the Capitol the decibels were toward the top of the charts according to my iPhone voice memo app (the debut on this tool for me; this will be an excellent device next time I need to break up a dull workplace meeting). Place yourself here, listen for drums, chanting, metal whistles, the occasional harmonica. It feels so good, but without the mud and stink of Woodstock.
We had a quick discussion with a gentleman who had been an activist at the Pentagon protests in Washington in the 60's. He recalled his anti-war stance at the time but expressed well formed concerns about being swept up by the fever pitch (literally the sound levels) in this instance. As my ribcage pounded with the reverb from a 6 story, fully marble clad rotunda with the hint of a tear headed toward my eyes, I could see his point. It's like the movies! But I didn't feel quite as stirred about standing in the sleet outside the Capitol minutes later. Guess I'm not so tough now.
Noontime special:
In one of many rallies that purport to continue into Monday, local firefighters joined state workers in a march inside the Capitol building beginning on the ground floor rotunda and heading up to the second and third floor balconies. Fire fighting gear ran the gamut from '90's gear to looks from the 60's (much the best looking in terms of the toughness factor, but probably not great protection post 9/11). I admit television ads for insurance feature better equipment bling (okay, helmuts with clear visors), but the firefighters were exempt from Gov W's cuts...gotta' give 'em credit for coming out and the crowd LOVED them, as did I. what is with the emotion thing?
Check out the picture.
Heard around town:
List of things to bring to a rally (strait from a rally supporter)
- Posters
- Markers
- A fifth of whiskey (ok, not really, but those teachers like to feel hip)
- Wet scarves (great for tear gas protection, but not required here in the Heartland)
- Lipgloss, because it is oh so dry in February in the hinterlands
Signage at the UW bookstore has new meaning
- "Special on markers, big and small"
- Printed "Kill the Bill" posters (free, which is great when you have used up your markers)
- "Rally sandwich special (includes a handmade chocolate truffle)
As much as I try to summon up my inner curmudgeon, the events this weekend in Wisconsin's Capitol are considerably more stirring than anything I have read or seen as distilled through secondary sources. Speaking for a passive generation, this has thrilled me like nothing else and I'd like to think those nice Midwestern folks might open the door to some talking or at least a reasonable chat rather than the usual snarkiness which just leaves me wishing I still drank coffee. I always think of the best response at 2am.
We had a quick discussion with a gentleman who had been an activist at the Pentagon protests in Washington in the 60's. He recalled his anti-war stance at the time but expressed well formed concerns about being swept up by the fever pitch (literally the sound levels) in this instance. As my ribcage pounded with the reverb from a 6 story, fully marble clad rotunda with the hint of a tear headed toward my eyes, I could see his point. It's like the movies! But I didn't feel quite as stirred about standing in the sleet outside the Capitol minutes later. Guess I'm not so tough now.
Noontime special:
In one of many rallies that purport to continue into Monday, local firefighters joined state workers in a march inside the Capitol building beginning on the ground floor rotunda and heading up to the second and third floor balconies. Fire fighting gear ran the gamut from '90's gear to looks from the 60's (much the best looking in terms of the toughness factor, but probably not great protection post 9/11). I admit television ads for insurance feature better equipment bling (okay, helmuts with clear visors), but the firefighters were exempt from Gov W's cuts...gotta' give 'em credit for coming out and the crowd LOVED them, as did I. what is with the emotion thing?
Check out the picture.
Heard around town:
List of things to bring to a rally (strait from a rally supporter)
- Posters
- Markers
- A fifth of whiskey (ok, not really, but those teachers like to feel hip)
- Wet scarves (great for tear gas protection, but not required here in the Heartland)
- Lipgloss, because it is oh so dry in February in the hinterlands
Signage at the UW bookstore has new meaning
- "Special on markers, big and small"
- Printed "Kill the Bill" posters (free, which is great when you have used up your markers)
- "Rally sandwich special (includes a handmade chocolate truffle)
As much as I try to summon up my inner curmudgeon, the events this weekend in Wisconsin's Capitol are considerably more stirring than anything I have read or seen as distilled through secondary sources. Speaking for a passive generation, this has thrilled me like nothing else and I'd like to think those nice Midwestern folks might open the door to some talking or at least a reasonable chat rather than the usual snarkiness which just leaves me wishing I still drank coffee. I always think of the best response at 2am.
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