Running in the morning is good.
Running in the morning works my legs.
It works my lungs.
My heart.
It works my laziness,
when I don't want to get out of bed.
Running makes orange juice taste better.
Running is super darn fine.
4/26/2005
Running
Running in the morning is good.
Running in the morning works my legs.
It works my lungs.
My heart.
It works my laziness,
when I don't want to get out of bed.
Running makes orange juice taste better.
Running is super darn fine.
Running in the morning works my legs.
It works my lungs.
My heart.
It works my laziness,
when I don't want to get out of bed.
Running makes orange juice taste better.
Running is super darn fine.
4/19/2005
The Playground
The playground is large.
Two trees dance in the wind.
The twisted grey trunks climb into the sky speckled with orange peeling bark.
Sand covers the ground.
Two trees dance in the wind.
Swaying masses of green leaves throw speckled grey shadows.
Sand covers the ground.
Red bars look like a fire truck.
Swaying masses of green leaves throw speckled grey shadows.
Ghost leaves swim in unison over the sand like a school of silver fish.
Red bars look like a fire truck.
Black rubber tires sit frozen on the ground.
Ghost leaves swim in unison over the sand like a school of silver fish.
Children glide over little waves of sand.
Black rubber tires sit frozen on the ground.
They dream of being free.
Children glide over little waves of sand.
They climb and swing and slide,
They dream of being free.
Children are attached to the playground.
They climb and swing and slide.
Yellow monkey bars stand next to a sliding pole.
Children are attached to the playground.
It takes so long to grow up.
Yellow monkey bars stand next to a sliding pole.
The twisted grey trunks climb into the sky speckled with orange peeling bark.
It takes so long to grow up.
The playground is large.
Two trees dance in the wind.
The twisted grey trunks climb into the sky speckled with orange peeling bark.
Sand covers the ground.
Two trees dance in the wind.
Swaying masses of green leaves throw speckled grey shadows.
Sand covers the ground.
Red bars look like a fire truck.
Swaying masses of green leaves throw speckled grey shadows.
Ghost leaves swim in unison over the sand like a school of silver fish.
Red bars look like a fire truck.
Black rubber tires sit frozen on the ground.
Ghost leaves swim in unison over the sand like a school of silver fish.
Children glide over little waves of sand.
Black rubber tires sit frozen on the ground.
They dream of being free.
Children glide over little waves of sand.
They climb and swing and slide,
They dream of being free.
Children are attached to the playground.
They climb and swing and slide.
Yellow monkey bars stand next to a sliding pole.
Children are attached to the playground.
It takes so long to grow up.
Yellow monkey bars stand next to a sliding pole.
The twisted grey trunks climb into the sky speckled with orange peeling bark.
It takes so long to grow up.
The playground is large.
4/05/2005
Lenten Cookbooks
At some point during the fast, most people have occaision to check out or think about those Lenten Cookbooks up on the shelf. The shelf may be in your kitchen or in your church bookstore, but one thing is always the same. They are always exotic. Recipes include weird sounding words like pirog or babganoush. And, hey. That's ok with me. I'm open to new things (really, they're so useful during lent that they don't really feel exotic anymore, anyway.) But, sometimes, a person just wants some home food.
That's why I've decided to make my own lenten cook book. I will call it -- "Lent: Orange County Style."
Here are a couple of possible entries that I might include:
1. "Vegetarian Burritos"
Step One:
Drive to Taco Bell
Step Two:
Say "No, thanks" when the kind tape recorded voice offers you some evil bacon and sour cream temptation of the week.
Step Three:
When ordering, say exactly these words (add lib at your own risk)
"I would like two bean and cheese burritos with green sauce, no cheese."
You may substitute "one" for "two", or "red" for "green", but whatever you do, don't just ask for a "burrito."
If you feel lucky, ask for a side of chips, but usually, you have to end up ordering the "nachos" and tossing that cup of yellow orange petroleum distilate they try to pass off as cheese, and which you should get merit points for eating without a court order.
Best eaten on the way home from a late night service.
2. "Bean and Rice Burrito"
Step One: Drive to El Pollo Loco (wear nose plugs unless you are a year round vegetarian type)
Step Two: Order a # 6 BRC Burrito (Beans, Rice, Cheese) with guacamole inside, no cheese.
Step Three: Add yummy salsa on the side.
3. This one, I like to call: "Variations on a Theme"
Step One: Drive to Jack-in-the-Box
Step Two: When ordering, say "Can you give me directions to the nearest Taco Bell?"
That's why I've decided to make my own lenten cook book. I will call it -- "Lent: Orange County Style."
Here are a couple of possible entries that I might include:
1. "Vegetarian Burritos"
Step One:
Drive to Taco Bell
Step Two:
Say "No, thanks" when the kind tape recorded voice offers you some evil bacon and sour cream temptation of the week.
Step Three:
When ordering, say exactly these words (add lib at your own risk)
"I would like two bean and cheese burritos with green sauce, no cheese."
You may substitute "one" for "two", or "red" for "green", but whatever you do, don't just ask for a "burrito."
If you feel lucky, ask for a side of chips, but usually, you have to end up ordering the "nachos" and tossing that cup of yellow orange petroleum distilate they try to pass off as cheese, and which you should get merit points for eating without a court order.
Best eaten on the way home from a late night service.
2. "Bean and Rice Burrito"
Step One: Drive to El Pollo Loco (wear nose plugs unless you are a year round vegetarian type)
Step Two: Order a # 6 BRC Burrito (Beans, Rice, Cheese) with guacamole inside, no cheese.
Step Three: Add yummy salsa on the side.
3. This one, I like to call: "Variations on a Theme"
Step One: Drive to Jack-in-the-Box
Step Two: When ordering, say "Can you give me directions to the nearest Taco Bell?"
3/11/2005
A Book Worth Reading Again
Some books stay alive and provide what's neededtime and time again.
Watership Down is such a book.
It being one of my favorites from my childhood and again in later years, I had wanted to read it to my classes over the years, but was always reticent.
First of all, the language and style is advanced for fourth graders. Words like "mustlidae" pop up all the time giving Webster a run for his money (the college edition didn't have it, but the unabridged did.)
More importantly, the book has themes and content that are pretty heavy and sometimes dark: death, violence, tyranny, freedom, elitism, and nihilism, true leadership, bravery and sacrifice. It is tragic and adventurous, soft and wildly threatening. And this book is about rabbits. Chocolate Easter Rabbits and
Little Bunny Foo Foo need not apply.
Instead, the reader is given Hazel - the inexperienced leader. Fiver the prophet. Bigwig - strong, blunt, but fearless and true. There comes Kehaar - a seagul with a sailor's mouth who flies like lightening out of the thunderous clouds to save the day.
And, there is General Woundwart. One of my personal picks of baddest of the bad, and not "bad meaning, bad, but bad meaning good" Though he is a tyrant, the author gives him depth and his powerful menace provoke not only terror, but a true admiration and respect for a soul on fire and without fear.
So, I finally am reading this book to my class, and they, to their credit, are loving it. And even though I have read it myself about 3 or 4 times, I still have to read ahead in the evenings, and only put it down again with a sigh.
Watership Down is such a book.
It being one of my favorites from my childhood and again in later years, I had wanted to read it to my classes over the years, but was always reticent.
First of all, the language and style is advanced for fourth graders. Words like "mustlidae" pop up all the time giving Webster a run for his money (the college edition didn't have it, but the unabridged did.)
More importantly, the book has themes and content that are pretty heavy and sometimes dark: death, violence, tyranny, freedom, elitism, and nihilism, true leadership, bravery and sacrifice. It is tragic and adventurous, soft and wildly threatening. And this book is about rabbits. Chocolate Easter Rabbits and
Little Bunny Foo Foo need not apply.
Instead, the reader is given Hazel - the inexperienced leader. Fiver the prophet. Bigwig - strong, blunt, but fearless and true. There comes Kehaar - a seagul with a sailor's mouth who flies like lightening out of the thunderous clouds to save the day.
And, there is General Woundwart. One of my personal picks of baddest of the bad, and not "bad meaning, bad, but bad meaning good" Though he is a tyrant, the author gives him depth and his powerful menace provoke not only terror, but a true admiration and respect for a soul on fire and without fear.
So, I finally am reading this book to my class, and they, to their credit, are loving it. And even though I have read it myself about 3 or 4 times, I still have to read ahead in the evenings, and only put it down again with a sigh.
3/09/2005
Something Lenten This Way Comes
In my desk calendar of daily quotes from Mr. e=mc squared himself,
he says:
"I admit that thoughts influence the body."
The converse also seems true. The body influences the thoughts,
and I'm looking forward to the church's helpful encouragement
of my good thoughts by the coming fast.
Yes, there's the hunger (actually, not really as often as I imagine) and
the tiredness. But, more importantly, with the fast comes a sense
of lightness, clarity, and sometimes joy.
Lately, after three weeks of preemptive "make-up work" for
what I'm soon to be missing, my body is most often telling me to take a nap.
Maybe today I'll take a walk instead.
he says:
"I admit that thoughts influence the body."
The converse also seems true. The body influences the thoughts,
and I'm looking forward to the church's helpful encouragement
of my good thoughts by the coming fast.
Yes, there's the hunger (actually, not really as often as I imagine) and
the tiredness. But, more importantly, with the fast comes a sense
of lightness, clarity, and sometimes joy.
Lately, after three weeks of preemptive "make-up work" for
what I'm soon to be missing, my body is most often telling me to take a nap.
Maybe today I'll take a walk instead.
2/28/2005
Trouble Counting at Mickey D's
This is in honor of Sean...
Taco Bell employees must be where it's at! Because the other
day at McDonalds, the hired help just weren't up to their normal
"High Level" of proficiency.
I drove my silver saturn up to the speaker menu-phone.
Hired Help: Hi! May I take your order?
Me: Yes. I would like a vanilla ice cream cone, please.
HH: That will be 98 cents at the second window.
Me: Thanks!
As I waited in line, I , Mr. Preparedness, sorted through my spare change gathering
exactly the right amount -- 98 cents precisely in quarters, nickels and dimes, with 3 pennies
to make it just right. I was so proud of myself.
Meanwhile, I had finally reached the window. I quickly began this high level financial transaction
by handing over my change. They accepted. I waited for my ice cream.
Hired Help: I need twelve more cents, sir.
Me: What?
HH: The total is $1.08, and you only gave me 98 cents.
Me: Ok....
(Being startled, I wondered if maybe I had forgot the tax. Then I recovered.)
Me: Wait!? No way can an 85 cent cone come out to $1.08!
HH: Um.....(quick conference with manager) Ok. That will be 98 cents please.
Me: Um... I already gave you my money.
HH: Oh. Ok. Here's your cone.
They handed over a nice cold creamy vanilla Ice Cream cone. I have to admit. It looked good. But, there was no napkin, and while I like the taste of vanilla even if my mustache is the plate, I do have some pride. (Well, not really, but my car is messy enough.)
Me: Could I please have a napkin?
The hired help then proceeds to hand me a stack o' napkins about and inch thick, probably thinking that by giving such a boon, I could sell off the excess, invest the money in a high interest stock, and reap untold profits.
His glare clearly showed his envy at my future life of leisure.
I drove off wiping the excess vanilla yumminess from my beard.
Another fine piece of evidence towards the resources and stability of our fine nation.
Taco Bell employees must be where it's at! Because the other
day at McDonalds, the hired help just weren't up to their normal
"High Level" of proficiency.
I drove my silver saturn up to the speaker menu-phone.
Hired Help: Hi! May I take your order?
Me: Yes. I would like a vanilla ice cream cone, please.
HH: That will be 98 cents at the second window.
Me: Thanks!
As I waited in line, I , Mr. Preparedness, sorted through my spare change gathering
exactly the right amount -- 98 cents precisely in quarters, nickels and dimes, with 3 pennies
to make it just right. I was so proud of myself.
Meanwhile, I had finally reached the window. I quickly began this high level financial transaction
by handing over my change. They accepted. I waited for my ice cream.
Hired Help: I need twelve more cents, sir.
Me: What?
HH: The total is $1.08, and you only gave me 98 cents.
Me: Ok....
(Being startled, I wondered if maybe I had forgot the tax. Then I recovered.)
Me: Wait!? No way can an 85 cent cone come out to $1.08!
HH: Um.....(quick conference with manager) Ok. That will be 98 cents please.
Me: Um... I already gave you my money.
HH: Oh. Ok. Here's your cone.
They handed over a nice cold creamy vanilla Ice Cream cone. I have to admit. It looked good. But, there was no napkin, and while I like the taste of vanilla even if my mustache is the plate, I do have some pride. (Well, not really, but my car is messy enough.)
Me: Could I please have a napkin?
The hired help then proceeds to hand me a stack o' napkins about and inch thick, probably thinking that by giving such a boon, I could sell off the excess, invest the money in a high interest stock, and reap untold profits.
His glare clearly showed his envy at my future life of leisure.
I drove off wiping the excess vanilla yumminess from my beard.
Another fine piece of evidence towards the resources and stability of our fine nation.
2/17/2005
Stairway to Heaven
Quing up just after 5:00pm onto the parking lot known as Harbor Blvd.,
I popped in my new CD - Led Zepplin's greated hits.
The simple sounds of an acoustic guitar and a group of recorders
washed my heart clean of the busy duldrums collected after an hour or
two of driving around doing errands.
Not all music is like this. But some pieces just make me stop and listen,
and after I'm done, I'm in a better place than before.
Books can be like that, too. Like Lord of the Rings. Why have I read this
same story over and over (something like 20 times). I know what's going to
happen. But I feel cleansed by traveling with these characters and
going through the emotions and events in the story.
I want to collect these things in my life, and make a list -- A list that
I can go back to when in need of a break.
What music and literature does this kind of thing in your life?
I would love to know.
I popped in my new CD - Led Zepplin's greated hits.
The simple sounds of an acoustic guitar and a group of recorders
washed my heart clean of the busy duldrums collected after an hour or
two of driving around doing errands.
Not all music is like this. But some pieces just make me stop and listen,
and after I'm done, I'm in a better place than before.
Books can be like that, too. Like Lord of the Rings. Why have I read this
same story over and over (something like 20 times). I know what's going to
happen. But I feel cleansed by traveling with these characters and
going through the emotions and events in the story.
I want to collect these things in my life, and make a list -- A list that
I can go back to when in need of a break.
What music and literature does this kind of thing in your life?
I would love to know.
2/02/2005
Here's my list of current hobbies or obsessions:
-building a sailboat
-planning what new old car to buy when I sell my saturn
-building a rat cage
-finding a good source for fancy rats (ie local breeder who is not a FETA Freak!)
-building a new terrarium for my bearded dragon
-finding the motivation to ride my bicycles to work: one regular ten speed, and the other is a recumbent
-reading The Count of Monte Cristo
-finding the motivation to grade papers instead of reading The Count of Monte Cristo
-Reading "Eat the Rich", a fun overview of economics by PJ O'Rourke.
-finding the motivation to unpack my new breadmaker and read the instructions
-not spending my extra money on food and things so that I can spend it on sailing and boats
-waiting for my first sailing class to start (5 saturdays starting Feb. 26)
-remembering at the oddest moments, like while reading the six psalms in the middle of church, or like right now, that I have to go to the DMV and renew my license or I'll be taking the bus down to the OC Sailing Center in two weeks!
-hoping I'll find my glasses so that I won't fail my eye exam.
-planning what new old car to buy when I sell my saturn
-building a rat cage
-finding a good source for fancy rats (ie local breeder who is not a FETA Freak!)
-building a new terrarium for my bearded dragon
-finding the motivation to ride my bicycles to work: one regular ten speed, and the other is a recumbent
-reading The Count of Monte Cristo
-finding the motivation to grade papers instead of reading The Count of Monte Cristo
-Reading "Eat the Rich", a fun overview of economics by PJ O'Rourke.
-finding the motivation to unpack my new breadmaker and read the instructions
-not spending my extra money on food and things so that I can spend it on sailing and boats
-waiting for my first sailing class to start (5 saturdays starting Feb. 26)
-remembering at the oddest moments, like while reading the six psalms in the middle of church, or like right now, that I have to go to the DMV and renew my license or I'll be taking the bus down to the OC Sailing Center in two weeks!
-hoping I'll find my glasses so that I won't fail my eye exam.
2/01/2005
More Quotes
"The monotony of a quiet life
stimulates the creative mind."
"Most teachers waste their time
asking questions that are intended
to discover what a pupil does not know,
whereas the true art of questioning
is to discover what the pupil does
know or is capable of knowing."
-Albert Einstein
stimulates the creative mind."
"Most teachers waste their time
asking questions that are intended
to discover what a pupil does not know,
whereas the true art of questioning
is to discover what the pupil does
know or is capable of knowing."
-Albert Einstein
1/18/2005
California Explorers
As a schoolteacher, my favorite unit is definately the Exploration of California.
Most of the exploration was done by the Spanish
(actually, mostly by Portuguese working for Spain)
and though I have nothing against them as a people, they were a sad sorry lot of
mediocrity.
While not doing a super fine job of exploring California, (they didn't discover the gold, and they only discovered the gigantic bay of San Francisco at the very end, and then only by series of mistakes), their history provides some material for a few hearty laughs (if like me, you have a taste for irony).
So if I've peaked your interest, tune in soon, same bat time (ie whenever I feel like it) ,
same bat blog, when I will discourse on the tragic career of that over the hill, wanna be bad boy,
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the First European to set foot in San Diego, California.
Most of the exploration was done by the Spanish
(actually, mostly by Portuguese working for Spain)
and though I have nothing against them as a people, they were a sad sorry lot of
mediocrity.
While not doing a super fine job of exploring California, (they didn't discover the gold, and they only discovered the gigantic bay of San Francisco at the very end, and then only by series of mistakes), their history provides some material for a few hearty laughs (if like me, you have a taste for irony).
So if I've peaked your interest, tune in soon, same bat time (ie whenever I feel like it) ,
same bat blog, when I will discourse on the tragic career of that over the hill, wanna be bad boy,
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the First European to set foot in San Diego, California.
1/14/2005
Poppin' Altoids
If I had a band I'd name it the
Poppin' Altoids.
They'd be mostly electronica (cause you just need a keyboard and a recorder)
with depeche mode influences,
But funny. Kind of like a porche
that chews bubble gum. Pop!
And my band would be curiously strong,
with a refreshing aftertaste.
Once you listen, either you'd hate the groove,
or you would keep poppin'
that cd onto track 5 for
one more taste of
Wintergreen.
Poppin' Altoids.
They'd be mostly electronica (cause you just need a keyboard and a recorder)
with depeche mode influences,
But funny. Kind of like a porche
that chews bubble gum. Pop!
And my band would be curiously strong,
with a refreshing aftertaste.
Once you listen, either you'd hate the groove,
or you would keep poppin'
that cd onto track 5 for
one more taste of
Wintergreen.
1/13/2005
Max
So, after two -three weeks of contiual rain, I was sure
that Max the alley cat was dead.
But, this morning there he was, curled up
under the bushes in my back yard.
He didn't move at first, even when I dumped out
a can of mystery beef special, but after I walked back and
closed the gate, up he got and sniffed his way
over to the food dish. Maybe just a bit slower
than before.
But, what can you say? That's still pretty good
after 20 days out in the rain.
I wish I knew where he goes when it's
wet outside. It's got to be a great
hiding place.
that Max the alley cat was dead.
But, this morning there he was, curled up
under the bushes in my back yard.
He didn't move at first, even when I dumped out
a can of mystery beef special, but after I walked back and
closed the gate, up he got and sniffed his way
over to the food dish. Maybe just a bit slower
than before.
But, what can you say? That's still pretty good
after 20 days out in the rain.
I wish I knew where he goes when it's
wet outside. It's got to be a great
hiding place.
1/10/2005
Your MOM goes to College!
Current movie watching list:
Napoleon Dynamite ****
Snatch ****
Finding Neverland ****
Lemony Snicket... *** (Credits get ****)
Life Aquatic *** 1/2
Ocean's 12 *** ( I could watch these guys pick their
respective noses while waiting for new scripts and be
quite content. I guess I'm easily pleased.)
On the agenda:
King of the Hill Season 3 (I'm skipping season I and 2 because they weren't on sale at Target.)
Once upon a Time in the West
The Godfather (I'm probablly the only geek who hasn't seen this movie, yet.)
Napoleon Dynamite
Current music cue:
The Stranglers
Soundtrack to Cold Mountain
The new Elliot Smith CD
Innocence Mission
Soundtrack to Snatch
Soundtrack to Amelie
Kelly Joe Phelps
Music that Inspired the X Files
I don't like Reggae. I love it. Anyone know any good albums or artists other than the BOB? I know about
him already.
Napoleon Dynamite ****
Snatch ****
Finding Neverland ****
Lemony Snicket... *** (Credits get ****)
Life Aquatic *** 1/2
Ocean's 12 *** ( I could watch these guys pick their
respective noses while waiting for new scripts and be
quite content. I guess I'm easily pleased.)
On the agenda:
King of the Hill Season 3 (I'm skipping season I and 2 because they weren't on sale at Target.)
Once upon a Time in the West
The Godfather (I'm probablly the only geek who hasn't seen this movie, yet.)
Napoleon Dynamite
Current music cue:
The Stranglers
Soundtrack to Cold Mountain
The new Elliot Smith CD
Innocence Mission
Soundtrack to Snatch
Soundtrack to Amelie
Kelly Joe Phelps
Music that Inspired the X Files
I don't like Reggae. I love it. Anyone know any good albums or artists other than the BOB? I know about
him already.
When in Blog Limbo....Quote
"I have no special talents.
I am only passionately curious."
-Albert Einstein
I am only passionately curious."
-Albert Einstein
1/06/2005
Tea for Two
This is from the packaging of
this morning's required stimulant:
I shall be a cloud,
you the moon,
and this our tea
Numi
Monkey King
Jasmine Tea
Despite winning today's award for
cheesiest, over the top writing,
it made a pretty fine cup.
this morning's required stimulant:
I shall be a cloud,
you the moon,
and this our tea
Numi
Monkey King
Jasmine Tea
Despite winning today's award for
cheesiest, over the top writing,
it made a pretty fine cup.
1/04/2005
Clint Quote
"Hell with them fellas.
Buzzards gotta eat,
same as worms."
-from The Outlaw Josey Wales
Buzzards gotta eat,
same as worms."
-from The Outlaw Josey Wales
12/17/2004
The Holidays
It's Friday and school is out. The kids are gone.
It's time to pack up.
Two weeks.
Nativity.
New Years.
Maybe a road trip.
Gotta clean up the house.
Gotta apply for Seminary.
Gotta get outside.
Probably won't be blogging till after one-one-O-five.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the
Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."
"Thy sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon
give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light,
and thy God thy glory."
-Isaiah
It's time to pack up.
Two weeks.
Nativity.
New Years.
Maybe a road trip.
Gotta clean up the house.
Gotta apply for Seminary.
Gotta get outside.
Probably won't be blogging till after one-one-O-five.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the
Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."
"Thy sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon
give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light,
and thy God thy glory."
-Isaiah
12/09/2004
5:22 a.m.
It's always amazes how many people are awake at 5:00 a.m.
And they're not just awake, the ones I notice. They're driving
cars...lots of them.
You'd think their might be one or two, but this morning
as I was walking up Harbor Blvd, taking a morning stroll,
piles of cars came streaming down after the light on Whittier
turned green. What kind of job makes you do that? I need to know
so that I never apply by mistake.
Yet, despite my own shock at others' ability to get up in the dark,
I...Beniy Waisanen...Mr. Sleep in just five more minutes for an entire
hour and a half on a regular basis, was up this morning at not just at 5:22 am.
I was up earlier than that. I was up at 5:00 am and an hour before that, too.
In fact I never went to bed last night at all, which is why I am insanely
posting a blog instead of trying to catch another 5 minutes.
There is WAY too much caffeine coursing through my body for
that option!
Staying up all night is something everyone should do at least once.
It's a freeing experience.
And...my report cards are finally done, too!
Now, I wonder how those two things fit together?
And they're not just awake, the ones I notice. They're driving
cars...lots of them.
You'd think their might be one or two, but this morning
as I was walking up Harbor Blvd, taking a morning stroll,
piles of cars came streaming down after the light on Whittier
turned green. What kind of job makes you do that? I need to know
so that I never apply by mistake.
Yet, despite my own shock at others' ability to get up in the dark,
I...Beniy Waisanen...Mr. Sleep in just five more minutes for an entire
hour and a half on a regular basis, was up this morning at not just at 5:22 am.
I was up earlier than that. I was up at 5:00 am and an hour before that, too.
In fact I never went to bed last night at all, which is why I am insanely
posting a blog instead of trying to catch another 5 minutes.
There is WAY too much caffeine coursing through my body for
that option!
Staying up all night is something everyone should do at least once.
It's a freeing experience.
And...my report cards are finally done, too!
Now, I wonder how those two things fit together?
11/29/2004
Powder Canyon
I've been hiking in them-there-hills lately, specifically
the hills called "Powder Canyon" located between the 60 freeway and my house.
Considering the fact that I/We live in a burgeoning megalopolis
it's quite suprising to find a place where one can look in all directions
and see nothing but blue sky, grassy hills, and the local wildlife
that has yet to abandon our concrete wasteland.
Walking the trails these past few days has been
an invigorating experience. The air is fresh and flows down
from skies on the verge of sunset; misty grey with blushes of pink
in between perfect powder blue near the horizon and a pale cool grey that
reaches high above the trees. These aerial watercolors find their own natural frames
in the local trees that line the meandering paths which lead the wandering traveler past a
winding creek, ascend soft rounded hills, and then descend again into new
hidden spaces alive with smells of the moist earth. Birds sing their songs
of a beautiful world, ants wander close to home; a lone black beetle
walks slowly across the path.
Monumental power lines paint a new picture in abstact as they stretch in parralel across the sky
supported by benevolent sentinel towers that keep a silent unending vigil.
Mud cakes to the soles of my shoes as I walk after the past rain.
As I return to my car, I stop next to the curb. Cakes of mud give evidence
that I am not the only visitor to have come this way. I scrape off my shoes,
one by one, and get into my car.
As I drive home, my thoughts are more in balance, and the
heater feels really nice.
the hills called "Powder Canyon" located between the 60 freeway and my house.
Considering the fact that I/We live in a burgeoning megalopolis
it's quite suprising to find a place where one can look in all directions
and see nothing but blue sky, grassy hills, and the local wildlife
that has yet to abandon our concrete wasteland.
Walking the trails these past few days has been
an invigorating experience. The air is fresh and flows down
from skies on the verge of sunset; misty grey with blushes of pink
in between perfect powder blue near the horizon and a pale cool grey that
reaches high above the trees. These aerial watercolors find their own natural frames
in the local trees that line the meandering paths which lead the wandering traveler past a
winding creek, ascend soft rounded hills, and then descend again into new
hidden spaces alive with smells of the moist earth. Birds sing their songs
of a beautiful world, ants wander close to home; a lone black beetle
walks slowly across the path.
Monumental power lines paint a new picture in abstact as they stretch in parralel across the sky
supported by benevolent sentinel towers that keep a silent unending vigil.
Mud cakes to the soles of my shoes as I walk after the past rain.
As I return to my car, I stop next to the curb. Cakes of mud give evidence
that I am not the only visitor to have come this way. I scrape off my shoes,
one by one, and get into my car.
As I drive home, my thoughts are more in balance, and the
heater feels really nice.
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