Google Earth

One of my childhood homes was 161 Edgewood Avenue in San Francisco. I remember the protests when the TV tower went up, I remember the big kids smoking pot in Ishi's Cave, and I remember when my parent's friends forgot to engage the emergency brake on their car, and it rolled down the hill and crashed into a neighbor's fence. I remember the night it snowed (yes, it snowed), and I was too afraid to leave my room. I remember when my dog bit the little boy across the street, and when I sat on my rooftop and waited for Scott Jakes to walk by so I could throw things at him and call him names.

I remember the first day we moved in--I found a gate in our backyard that lead to the forest. I remember getting lost, and when I finally found my way back, I thought to myself, my backyard is a forest!

I remember the yellow teather ball and rusted pole, the bright eyed raccoons at night, the smell of skunk, the red brick road, and the sour taste of plums picked from the trees on my way home from school.

Joke by David

Q: What do you call a deer that can use all its hooves?

A: Bambidexterous.

Truth

Last week in the women's restroom at work, I inadvertently pulled too many paper towels out of the dispenser and they all fell to the floor. Since then, I have been drying my hands on my jeans, and will do so as many times as I think it would have taken me to use the paper towels I dropped.

Sitting at the sidebar

For Annie.

The way things aren't

Today at work, I thought the words on the TV screen said, "Happiness Now," but they actually said "Happening Now."

(Maybe happiness is happening now)

My mama done told me

At the beginning of a relationship, trust, and tread lightly.

Campanita

There are many stray dogs roaming the streets in Argentina, and it is customary for the citizens to provide them with food and water. Sometimes, when it's a puppy walking dangerously close to oncoming traffic, someone will take the dog home and make it part of the family.

Campanita is one such puppy--rescued by Cristian's mother Laly, and Christened by Cristian-- her name meaning Little Bell.

Then and now

When you're 25, someone comes into your life and you say, "Yes."

When you're 45, someone comes into you're life and you say, "Let me just think a minute."

When you're 25, you're imperfect and so is everyone around you.

When you're 45, you want everyone around you to be perfect, even though you're not.

When you're 25, you want someone to connect to.

When you're 45, you want someone to connect to.

See what I sea

In Paraná Argentina, from a rooftop, you can think you see the sea. But it's not the sea, it's the sky.

See?

Fact #589,001

There's a gumdrop in my kitchen--causing chaos and reeking havoc.

Fine feathered friends

Katie: "Tell me, Tai, because I really don't understand--you say you went and looked at chickens. "

Tai: "Yes."

Katie: "But when you go to look at chickens, and then you leave without the chickens--well, I mean, what do you think you'll see the next time you look at chickens? I mean, you want chickens--why not just buy the chickens?"

Tai: "You don't understand, Katie--it's very complicated!"

Missing Argentina

I slept soundly in this simple room in Paraná. The summer heat, the fan overhead, the door that remained open all night, and the breeze that came through. I'll never forget waking in the morning, smelling the rain, opening my eyes and seeing it pour down just outside the door--hearing the sound of wild birds, and the clippity-clop of a horse and cart.

Morning time

Annie: "Mommy, what time is it?"

Me: "It's seven twenty."

Annie: "Seven twenny?"

Me: "No, seven twenty. There are two "Ts" in the word, 'Twenty.'"

Annie: "And there is one "T" in the word, 'Twenny!"

Go, green

"Eating Veggie Bootys at school is social suicide."

~Annie Kosh

Sitting at the sidebar

A favorite song for my favorite woman.

This one's for you, Mom.

Sorry for the interuption

Taking a leave of Halfness--will return, always, at an unexpected time.

Sitting at the sidebar

Wouldn't that be something if I could share my favorite Paul McCartney song with you?

Evolving 101

I may not be enlightened, but I know what it is to evolve. I know what it feels like and everyday, when I look around me, when I look in the mirror, I can see it.

In this lifetime, let me remain a student--it is so profound to stand where I stand--I am awed, humbled and so grateful.

In my dreams

Last night I dreamed I was walking down a quiet road, when I suddenly came upon a group of people being held at gunpoint by armed military police. Some of the people were able to get away, walking quickly while trying not to be seen, and I began walking with them. I noticed they were all carrying flags and wearing shirts that represented their country, Argentina--and I soon found out their former president Carols Menem had died.

I could feel the mounting tension and wasn't sure what to do. Should I make it clear I was an American, that I was unaware of Menem's death, or should I gather with and support "La Gente?"

I quickly decided to join the group and found myself sitting with them in a concrete alcove, camouflaged by leaves and trees, unaware of why we were hiding. I looked around and saw many Muslims gathering, too, and thought to move away from them since they were such easy targets.

I eventually made it home--David was sitting on the sofa and Cristian's father Raúl was on an easy chair.

"Raúl!" I shouted, "Menem's dead!"

Raul stirred and I saw he was asleep. As I began to tell David what had happened, there was a knock at the door. An Argentinian military police officer walked in and told me not to worry, he only had a few questions. I said I knew nothing, but when he asked for my passport, he saw it was filled with stamps from Argentina. I knew in that moment I would be held suspect for something, although I couldn't imagine for what.

Sitting at the sidebar in real time

Springlike day, another cup of coffee and the windows wide open. Been dreaming of L.A., and this song blasts on the Bose.

Weekend update

There's no mystery surrounding the recent silence at The Half Note--I've been focused on work, that's all.

Well, maybe that's not all, but that's most of it.

Pause

My focus has been elsewhere these days--but as long as there's a chord to be played, The Half Note will return.

xoox

"Wake to expanded red."

These are the words I heard in a dream this morning, the moment before I opened my eyes.

In like a lion

Hot shower, clean floors, warm tea--snow falls, silent night, and New York City will wake to this.

Sitting at the side bar in real time

I love that my daughter requests I play the music that is playing right now--at the sidebar and in my living room.

Click to the right of this post to hear.