wind chimes, leaves dancing

A morning in autumn with sun and the leaves still green sings me awake. I came prancing inside to the computer to hear the sound of my experience on these keys. Now my boys are back and it's time to play. Let's take a nap, love.

The First Gift

I started a new business today. It's a business of gift-giving. They're called Gift Headbands. I crochet headbands and offer them as a small gift to the world. If you want one, you can have one. You can also offer a payment, out of gratitude, for the gift. It's a small gesture, a tiny experiment, a glorious undertaking. I gave the first headband as a gift today to my housemate, Sarah. I had been collecting the headbands. I made four and was preparing to bring them down to a shop in town to sell them on consignment (as gifts, nonetheless - someone can choose to pay nothing for them and I am happy to have given a gift). The first giving, to Sarah, was highly rewarding. After hoarding four of them, saving them and beginning to prepare tags, I read Charles Eisenstein's section of his book (The Ascent of Humanity) called The Spirit of the Gift. There, I was reminded that a gift kept for too long becomes stagnant, a curse. The headbands had, in fact, begun to feel heavy and almost like a burden. Would anyone buy them? I thought. Was I wasting my time? I wondered. I had forgotten the spirit of the gift. I had forgotten that a fresh loaf of bread given as a gift today is far better than a stale piece of toast next week. I had neglected to honor the great gift of life. As Einsenstein puts it, "Life itself—our human lives—is a gift. Our lives, our talents, our abilities, our privilege to be human are given to us, and like all gifts they are not to be hoarded." May our science, our industry, our every day inspiration be born from the awareness of the gift and the longing to contribute to the beauty of our world.

Not waiting, just ready

Dear Babyji -

You are still here all nestled up in my womb. I hope your placenta is still feeding you well and you're all warm and happy in the great watery darkness. Your maternal grandparents are currently on their way to visit us and I think that perhaps you've been waiting for them to arrive to show your sweet face. How sweet of you!

We're not worried out here about when you'll arrive, we're just ready.

I have been feeling my body preparing for labor over the past couple of weeks and am happy to report this. I've felt my pelvis expanding, slightly stronger contractions, and light pressure on my cervix. I am glad that my body is taking a few precautionary measures before plunging into the profundity of birthing a miracle as great as you.

I don't have much else to tell you, just that I've now stopped riding my bike because it was hurting my back and that we're all still very excited to meet your cute little hands, cute little feet, and your cute little face. I think you are preparing for this journey too, although your consciousness will probably soon forget it. I'm writing this so that we can remember a bit about this journey even after you've forgotten. Maybe you'll remember how you keep pushing your footsie into my side and how I softly put my hand where your foot is and say, "cute little foot. . ."

Let us both get ready for this great occasion, peacefully and lovingly.

Loving you,

-Mommyji

Nesting and waiting for you

Dear Babyji -

Daddyji is painting our room beautiful earthy colors so that by the time you arrive we will have a colorful and welcoming space. You are welcome to arrive, by the way, at any time now. Your 'due date' is June 25th. Tonight at dinner we all made guesses to estimate when you and when Rose and Casey's baby will arrive. One guess for you is as early as the day after tomorrow and one is as late as the 1st of July.

I had a contraction yesterday while Marcelo and I were in the hardware store getting some paint. This got me very excited and smiling so very wide. I kept hoping that another one would come on. . .but I guess its not our time yet. I will just patiently wait and prepare for your birth in the meantime.

Our midwife, Kathy, is pleased with my health and your heartbeat. I am confident that we are all going to work well together to transition you from the womb to the world. She even made a little hat for you to wear when you arrive.

A couple of weeks ago, the womenfolk at the ecovillage and some of Rose's friends from out of town got together to have a blessingway for Rose and me (and you, of course). About a dozen of us sat together in a field at the northwest corner of the property to honor the miracle of birth and to empower us in this most transformational of moments in life. Women shared their stories, some shared advice, and some blessed the divinity of motherhood. It was a beautiful sunny day and we rejoined the menfolk at dusk to share a potluck meal - but not before Rose and I received foot baths and massages! Later, we both had henna drawn on our rotund bellies.

The ecovillage seems to be almost as excited as we are to welcome you here. They have offered their gifts and their support. Many people have already given you gifts and they haven't even met you! We had a shower for you on the east coast and many of your blood relatives came to offer gifts, both material and immaterial - books and clothes, support and love.

Well, Babyji, we are all just very excited to meet you. Your grandparents are coming here on the 30th and I hope you are born right before then or soon after they arrive. Its a long way for them to come out here to meet you and I think it would be in your best interest to take advantage of their presence and get out here just as soon as you are able!

We are loving you and all of your kicks out the side of my torso. Can't wait to see you do all your tricks here on the outside.

Love,

Mommyji

Dear Babyji

Dear Babyji -

We made it to Port Townsend, WA and are creating a little nest for us. Our room has a bouncey/rocking chair for you that you might like being nursed in. We have three little plants growing in their little pots. And all of your little baby books are on a shelf that one day you'll be able to reach.
You haven't been kicking me as much in the past couple of days. Actually, you've been pretty quiet with only a few pokes here and there. Daddyji said that last night as we were going to sleep he felt you pushing strongly on my belly. I must have already fallen asleep because I remember no such thing!
I'm so happy that we are living here. I think its really a wonderful place for you to be born. We are housemates with another family that already has a son who will be almost two by the time you arrive, and they are having a baby girl just a couple of weeks after you come! Of course, the timing may change as we can't be sure when you and this beautiful girl are going to arrive, but I think you'll be just a little bit older than her.
Its been really special to share so much time with another young, pregnant family and especially with the mama! We talk about all things baby and body. She has a lot of books about birthing, prenatal health, and health in general. We help each other and support each other in this most beautiful time of carrying child. Her name is Rose, you'll meet her soon. Her partner's name is Casey and their son's name is Lamai. They are such a beautiful family and I bet you'll make fast friends with the kids just as I have with the adults!
We've only been here just over a week and a half, but the ecovillage has made us feel like old friends with their welcoming attitudes. Marcelo and I are part of the cooperative gardening here at the village and have been making a fence, making plant beds, and he's out there now transplanting some starts from the greenhouse into the ground. Marcelo has found work here already as a gardener for a nearby couple and helping with construction on some of the houses in the village, so he was away working a lot of last week. This was strange to us because we have been spending so much time together over the past year - almost glued to each others' sides! I'm hoping we'll continue working on our childrens' book project so we can work together.
Anyway, our little nest is getting ready for you and we are so happy that we get to meet you in a few short weeks! I hope you are still enjoying the watery darkness and are getting ready to take your first breath! You still have time, but the moment is approaching quickly when I will hold you in my arms.
I love you babyji!
-Mommyji

Homeward Bound

Its been spring already. And winter again. Now we may find spring once more. One walk last week led my feet through untouched snow and it kept falling from the sky. The wind gathered strength and bit our faces. Marcelo and I had worn our best winter clothes, but our faces became still, crinkled and frozen on the walk back home.

The grass has replaced the snow. Only a few piles are left. Dad's even saying, "Yeah its nice weather today...for around here..."

But enough about the weather.

In two weeks Marcelo and I will already be nearing Southbend, IL. The car will be packed and we'll be moving West. We will be Port Townsend - bound and looking forward to our new home. We're going to live in an ecovillage. If you're interested in finding out more about the ecovillage, check out the website: www.ptecovillage.org.

I've only driven to Port Townsend once before, but on that drive, as I was headed north on the Olympic Peninsula, I had this feeling that I was driving home. And now it will soon become our home, inshallah.

**************************************************

**************************************************

Been watching the news. Is revolution making its way to the United States? It seems to be about time. I just wonder what kind of revolution it will be. I'm hoping its peaceful and led by enlightened party people.

Did anyone else see the protests in LA? In England? Looks like the revolutionary buzz has moved westward.

Let's hope everyone gets what they need. And let's feed hungry people and get clean water to everyone. It can't be that hard. Let's just start there.

Peace, love, & revolution.

Back, back, back to the garden

I think its time to start writing again.

Its not that I ever stopped really, but I haven't posted anything here in over two years. I've been writing - songs, journal entries, day plans - but it seems that not enough has been done to keep track of this journey.

Six months pregnant already. My belly is growing naturally, healthily, happily, steadily. Marcelo and I are braving the NY cold together here in Rochester and enjoying the onset of spring.

I've been wanting to write to the baby that is growing inside of me. I want to tell him about what's been happening outside and around my body since he's started developing there.

Dear Baby,

I love you so much already. Your dad does too. We are so looking forward to your arrival. We call you babyji for now (and I am mommyji and daddy is daddyji). Its difficult for us to think of a proper name for you now because we haven't even met you yet. I have a feeling that you will help us decide on your name, either while you're still in the womb or when you finally wriggle up into our arms.
It seems like a long time ago that we knew you were coming. Nine months is a long time for you to be in my body. I truly hope that I am feeding us the right things and moving in the right ways so that you aren't disturbed and can grow healthily.
I started going to the gym last week (I was walking regularly before then) and am feeling great. It seems that when I do things you are somehow doing them too. Before even leaving the warm darkness of my womb, you will have traveled across the US twice, been to Brazil, Canada and back to New York. I know you are strong because the first nights, when you weren't much more than a cell, your father and I were traveling in a car on the west coast and some nights were very cold. We weren't pampering ourselves in that time when you were most vulnerable, and yet here you are, growing, kicking, dancing in my womb.
I love it when you let me know that you are there. At first it was surprising to feel you. Its still hard to understand how a life as complex and beautiful as this can be forming within my own body. Indeed it remains a mystery of our human existence, this creation of life. Biologically, I can begin to understand what is happening to our bodies as we change and grow. But even that particular scientific lens is too complex for me to fully understand how this miracle is happening.
And you are a miracle. Your father and I asked for you, and you arrived just at that instant. We called to you as you had been calling to us and now you are safe in your sixth month of life in my body. You have fingers and toes, some hair, and I'm sure you're developing some personality in there. We play music for you regularly. I hope you are liking it when the guitar is up against my belly and resounding throughout my womb. Your father sometimes puts his mouth right up to my belly button and hums, sings, or practices his throat singing.
I think you'll like to sing with us when you can. For now, you can just listen. And I promise we'll listen to you too when you have something to share. Your cries, laughs, and coos are sure to be the most beautiful sounds. Your father and I already feel so blessed that you are coming to us.
May the rest of your time in my womb be warm and welcoming. I hope you enjoy the quiet, watery darkness of these months because when you arrive here you must get used to the air, the light, and the cold. Don't worry, once you are used to it, I think you will come to enjoy it. And there is warm water here too - you can submerge yourself again into a watery haven sometimes and it feels safe and comforting. We will teach you how to swim so you can enjoy this sensation whenever you like. There is so much you will joyfully learn. What a journey to begin. . .
I love you & dad loves you too. Arrive safely, grow healthily, and let me know if I'm squishing you when I bend over!
Love (forever),
-Mommyji

Still Rockin'

Beauty and magic continue to unfold and blossom all around me. Never has a day gone by without intense and sincere gratitude pouring out from my being. The smiles of the neighborhood children are becoming familiar, bright as the sun, reminders of the essential purity of life on this earth. It took an extra hour to walk home yesterday evening as I kept pausing to marvel at the purple/pink, perfectly round flaming ball of light as it dipped below the distant hills. Its light reflected softly on the flourescent colors of the simple stone houses as well as their tanned and quiet tenants.
***********************************************************************
Although I have been here for one month, today was the first time I entered the main temple in the center of the city. Nataraj and I slowly and quietly marveled at the intricate stone carvings on the temple walls and mentioned the names and stories associated with the forms. We sat with the resident elephant and I felt a bit of sadness as I watched the magnificent creature perform its menial task of collecting a few rupees from those wishing to be blessed by the touch of his trunk on the tip of their head. Some children screamed in delight and fear, some babies cried, and some giggled with adrenaline. There were tears coming out of the elephant's eyes, but I will not anthropomorphize that into sadness. His eyes were probably just dry and I was looking for a connection with this majestic being.
***************************************************************************
I am almost done mastering a cd and hope to have it done by Saturday because I have scheduled a show at a cafe. Songs are coming easily to me here and there is a marked change in the subject matter of the compositions. Before, many of my songs were personal stories that may have helped me to detach from their significance in my life. Although there was a universality within the personal story telling of this style, the songs are now more intentionally universal. It is a joy to feel the inspiration to write songs that are not about 'me' or the me I have envisioned myself to be. This change in the expression of songwriting is quite liberating and I feel that the music will benefit with this change. Surely there are still a few personal love stories to come, but I feel there is significant evolution in the expression still.
************************************************************************
There is endless and infinite beauty to speak of - every moment is a passing spot of grace. It is becoming more persistantly clear to me exactly how blessed existence on this earth is. The true nature of all beings is what makes this blossoming awareness consistent. Our nature is joy and bliss. This is where we are from and this is where we go - if we do, in fact, go anywhere at all! It is a wonder that our minds can take us so far from this truth.
*************************************************************************
May all the beings live in peace! Om shanti, shanti, shanti

~Maggie

Send Money.

Well, well, well. Here I am in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, India. Here I am listening to Joni Mitchell on youtube. Here I am deciding where to get my next chai. My how plans change.

It was on the bus from London to Paris that I met Nataraj, a french man who was on his way back to India. Within twelve hours of knowing each other, we had made plans to go to India together and we have a return ticket (to Paris) for April 13th from Delhi. We'll be here for two months, in Tiru, and then take about two months to go up the east coast and land in Delhi for the flight. We are living together in a beautiful house with a rooftop terrace that provides a perfect view of the holy mountain, Arunachala. The space also accommodates the neighborhood children to play with the beach balls and legos that we bought at the market for them. The kids are beautiful. Its so nice to get to know them, their names and personalities; their parents and their homes. Their homes are welcome places to us too. Shanti, the mother of three girls who are frequently at our house, is always offering us chai, dinner, to clean the house. We give her money, but I get the feeling that its not about the money. We keep the inside of our house mostly off limits to the kids to maintain some semblance of a private life. Most of the time around the house is spent with the kids though - outside on the porch or on the roof. There is so much love to go around. It is a beautiful feeling.

Nataraj has been to this particular village every year for a couple of months for the past three years. He has helped to start a school nearby, encourages every child to bring him his schoolbook to study, and gives supplies as he can: like small chalkboards, books, pens... The school that he has had a part in creating is a few kilometers from here. They have no roof and few supplies. Girls cannot attend the school because they don't have enough money to supply uniforms for them. Nataraj went to the school two days ago and the children received him ecstatically. This is common among the children (and their parents) in this village. He, unlike many of the westerners who come here, is inspired to help the community while he is here. Yes, we have more than we need in the west, and, yes, we can give to the families here who are not unlike the families of north america. The differences we create and the suffering we try to ignore is all human-made. We have the power to end the suffering we have created.

From there, on the other side of the planet, the situations here can seem too big of a 'problem' to begin to 'solve.' But here, there is no problem - only lives of joy and sorrow, peace and unrest as in the rest of the world. The obvious difference lies in the availability of resources and access to education. I have asked my dad to look into ways of getting school supplies here. I assume that there are organizations in North America already established to bring goods from the wealthy west to the poor east. Getting educational supplies to the children here is really quite simple. If anyone is interested in helping to educate the beautiful children of this small village, contact me. It could be as simple as sending money to me here in Tiru, or to my parents in Rochester. If you are more interested, we could look into donation drives and what the best way to get materials here is. Several of you who read this are connected to schools with at least a few wealthy families. Doesn't everybody want to do things that feel good? Here is an easy way to feel good! No inhaling, ingesting, or injecting needed...

If any of you feel inspired to help and/or can find a few moments to consider the ways in which you might want to be a part of this, please contact me at maggie.clifford@gmail.com or via this blog. Even if you are unable to help monetarily or with collecting donations, any advice or support is welcome!

Life is beautiful. I will be here for at least two months and there is an extra room in the house (which is now the music room). Anyone considering a trip to India? You've got a place to stay here! I wish you joy, peace, clarity, and light! Be the change you wish to see in the world!

With Love,
~Maggie

In Kerala

We arrived in a touristy mountain town in Kerala this afternoon. We're staying at Hotel Rolex conveniently located near a wildlife reserve a few miles down the road. We went on a long boat ride today in the reserve's resevoir. The ride was slow-going and many of our tired minds had some difficulty enjoying the trip for 2 hours.

I have had little inspiration to maintain this blog here in India. I have read several books here including The Guide, The Alchemist, and some writings of Swami Vivekananda. I have written several songs and I'm learning a lot about myself and the world. India is mind, heart, soul awakening and I am grateful that I am here.

Some of the group will split up next tuesday, the 18th, as some of us move on to the beach state of Goa. We're looking for a hotel and we're planning on sleeping in, not sight seeing, and staying up late. The structure of this portion of the trip has been eventful and rewarding, but we're ready to listen to our body clocks on a beach.

After Goa, I'll be getting on a flight headed to London. I talked to my friend the pilot today and he said he would know soon if he could change my flight to Paris. I hope to hear from him tonight or tomorrow. If I fly to London, I will take the chunnell to paris on the 27th of November and fly to Stockholm on the 29th. I'll stay in Stockholm for two nights with an american/swedish couple and then take a train to Narvik, Norway. From there I'll take a bus to Tromso. I've received word that the northern lights were spotted last night! I hope to see them there too. If I can get a job there, perhaps I'll stay in that arctic town for a month or two. This will be hard without a visa but not impossible.

Things are looking good. I feel great. Love to all.

just heard!

barack obamaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!

we arrived back in bangalore an hour ago and soon we're headed for catholic mass in the center of the city. dr. guru says its one of his favorite things to do on these india trips.

i don't have time to write now - gotta hit the showers after a long bus ride. but i just wanted to publicly display my joy for our newly elected president of the united states of america. now the real work can begin!

love!

journal entry 10/28/08

Back in Sirigere at Swamiji's crib. played music tonight on the roof, really let 'er rip - passionately. swamijii played his violin. we sat on a well-lit stage, heard foxes howling. left Hampi today, said farewell to the shopowners who call us their friends when we give them money. waited an hour for dinner last night - played 'would you rather' with jane, matt, dale, and emma, bought elephant paintings on dyed cloth after dinner. meditated on rocks at a temple with Baba (and darroll the guru). beautiful, ancient rock-mountains underneat sunset-orange sky. remember the singing columns - solid stone sounds like a jembay. napped on a rock in the sun in a centuries-old city center of Hampi - once buried under the mud now behind bars and ticket-taking gaurds. gave coins to some beautiful boys before i realized what game they were playing and what role i had. bought too much. consumerism is materialistic consumerism no matter what country i'm in or how much it costs. remember the world.

took pictures of beautiful children. held a baby by the river.

stomach hurts after i eat for a little while. not taking malaria pills. namaste. learning everyday. reading The Guide. listening to jillian giggle. they made hacky sacks for the boys here in sirigere.

yes, michael, india will change me.

everything i think about somebody else, every time i condemn someone for saying something, doing something inconsiderate or innappropriate, i imagine myself doing the same thing. and i am. by seeing 'them' i am seeing myself more clearly. we are all light and we have all been on this planet and in this universe for billions of years. we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.

Bring it on, Bangalore

I arrived in Bangalore three nights ago. Sanjay, the trip's travel agent, was there to pick me up at the airport and my transition was smooth. In fact, it was the most wonderful air travelling experience of my life. I briefly met the captain before the flight on the escalator and he moved my seat to first class. Later when we were talkng about why he had decided to do this for me, he said, "I don't know, something inside of me told me to be kind to you." And even though he was not on my second flight, he talked to the pilot of that flight too and had me moved to first class.

Suri is his name. I am corresponding with him about changing my flight out of India from landing in London to Paris. From there I will fly to Stockholm on the 29th and then take a train to Narvick, Norway...but that is all far and distant plans.

Now I am in Bangalore, India where the car horns stop beeping only in the dead of night, wild dogs gather in the evening and at dawn, and no meal is ever over $4 (and usually it is under $2). Today we went to a Sikh gwardar (sp) in another part of Bangalore and learned that they worship their ancient text as a king and have no living gurus. They receive their answers to life's questions from the text alone. After eating in the basement of the gwardar, we got back on the bus and went to get some ice cream in a busy part of Bangalore. There are so many cars, motorcycles, and taxis not following the 'rules of the road.' It might seem quite treachorous to corss any street. And I frequently cover my face with my scarf to filter the air.

Jane arrived too. Her orginal flight was delayed and she did not arrive with the rest of the group. She opened the door to my room at about 3am this morning and we stayed up for a long time talking and laughing. Although we were quite tired today, it was worth it.

There are more details I would like to include, but am writing quickly as I am headed back to Teralabalu Kendra for a yoga session (which I will lead today). In my first day here, I wrote three songs. I believe I will perform one of them for a ceremony this weekend. The whole group will perform together and some of us will do other things too. There are a few other performers on this trip.

I feel great. I just took a nap. Tomorrow we leave Bangalore and will not return until the 6th of November. Our journey has begun. I am so glad to be here in this place and with these people. I am learning so much.

Love.

Another Debate, Another Day in Paradise

I've decided to spend my morning with 2008's presidential nominiees on youtube again. McCain is getting on my nerves today. We should both practice deep breathing techniques. Perhaps then he wouldn't get so flustered. And then I wouldn't feel the small ball of unease in my gut. And we both would be quite peaceful.

After a few deep breaths I feel much better. How do you feel, McCain?


*************************************************************************

Today I leave for Bangalore, although I won't arrive until tomorrow at 7pm. I leave London Heathrow at 9pm and arrive in Mubai tomorrow morning. Five hours in the airport, and then I fly to Bangalore. The rest of the group will arrive Tuesday night, so the travel agent for the tour, Sanjay, has said that he will pick me up in the airport and take me to where I shall stay.


Wow. India.



The past couple of days have been beautiful here in London. Only on Wednesday were there thick clouds and light rain showers from the sky. On that day, Marcelo and I met outside the Tower Hill tube station and walked down along the Thames, marveled at St. Paul's church, and found our way to his friends' flat in the western-most end of London.

On Thursday we had a slow morning sitting in filtered sunlight as Marcelo reconnected with old friends. We went off by ourselves to Hyde park and ate lunch by the Royal Albert Memorial before going to the Natural History Museum. Much of the displays about the geological history of earth and space were in dark rooms that made me feel tired, but I stayed strong and went on to see the dinosaurs and mammals. After watching a mechanized, life-sized T-rex for several minutes, I was glad that I had not succumbed to the power of the yawn.



Friday was another slow morning and another museum. We went over to SoHo and walked around the time-squarish part of London. We walked through St. James' park and then up and over to the British Museum. We were only there for about an hour before it closed. We hardly had enough time to oggle the mummies. As we left the museum, a flyer for a Baroque ensemble called clockwise handel (I think) caught our attention. The music was in a church called St. George's and was literally right around the corner from the museum. Aside from the everpresent street noise, the acoustics in the church permitted the beautiful sounds to resonate for several seconds after the musicians had stopped their movements. There were 5 musicians: an oboe, soprano vocalist, harpischord, a bassoon-like instrument, and cello. All the musicians were passionate and talented.

It was afer the music (and on an empty stomach) that we met our roommates at the old english pub pictured below. We were there for a couple of hours and I drank two beers. The first was a nondescript organic ale and the second was...sweeter. It was great to be at this particular pub because it is in the old city of London and one of the last pubs around of its kind. If you can zoom in to the picture, you'll see 'anno. 1720'... just another structure older than any institution in the US.



And yesterday we hung out in the flat, got some chinese food for lunch, and played music. Marcelo left for his flight to Berlin last night around midnight and we have made plans to meet again after I return to London from India. I'm pretty certain that we're going to meet in the arctic town of Tromso in Norway. However there is a slight possibility that we will meet again in Italy. Whichever way the wind blows I suppose.

Today I might go to the Tate Modern Art Gallery. Gareth prepared a London to-do list for me before we parted ways, and I have checked off most things on the list. The Tate is on there, so I might go for it.

Soon I'll pack my things and blow this popstand. I'll probably head to the airport around 6:30pm...

Until we meet again, Love.

pictures

picture 1) the royal albert memorial

picture 2) a memorial for political activists in hyde park

picutre 3) view of london from primrose hill

picture 4) some friends outside of a true old english pub

picture 5) marcelo by the pond in hyde park

Listening to the Debate...

When I left the internet point after the last post, I went back to the Camden lock (where I had napped earlier) and sat down next to who I later learned was Whiskey Mick. He had his mandolin and a fantastic repertoire of christy moore, chris chrisopherson, willie nelson, and classic rebel songs from his time in the military in Ireland. We sang together and he taught me a few necessary chords on the mandolin. Transient audience members kept us company on into the evening.

It got cold there outside, so Mick and I walked to the bar where I was to meet Gareth. Mick and I hugged goodbye and shortly Gareth and I headed back to his home. Yesterday morning was spent here in the house. Gareth and I played music for each other and then went to the Victoria museum. We met up with two of his students (he teaches english as a second language) and attempted to have slow, short conversations with them. We walked around for a bit in the museum, waiting for lights to illuminate an ancient carpet from the Middle East, weaved in and around tombs, and marveled at classic Japanese warrior garb.

After a baguette lunch and sitting in the sunshine, we went to the underground and jumped off at Tower Hill to look briefly at the London Tower. Gareth pointed off into the near distance and asked, "Have you seen the Thames?" "No," I said. "Well," he said as he pointed, "there it is. Beautiful, eh?"
"Uhhh, yeah," I said as my eyes squinted and struggled to catch glimpses of water.

We jumped back on the underground and got off at aldgate east where we headed for Brick Lane (or street or road..). This area reminded me of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It is the place where artists have gone to now that Greenwich is gentrified and expensive. The street was lined with musicians, outdoor pubs, and fashionable folks drinking beer.

Both tired, we decided to return to Gareth's home at about 7pm. He is at work now and I am listening/watching the 2nd presidential debate on youtube. I lost interest after the first 45 minutes and started writing this entry.

McCain is so cute. "I'll get 'em. No matter what!" Awww...McCain! I just wanna squeeze his cheeks. Don't you?? I think he'd be a better candidate if more people wanted to squeeze his cheeks. Everybody loves McCain. More people are going to vote for Obama though. Perhaps because he doesn't need his cheeks squeezed like McCain does. Do you understand?

Let's envision whirled peas and squeezing McCain's cheeks. That's the middle path, the way to enlightenment, the secret to sustainability!

Love!

"This is not just a challenge, it is an opportunity." - Barack Obama, 2nd presidental debate, 2008

Live from Camden

Yesterday evening I took the underground to the Russells Square (?) to meet up with Gareth, my first couchsurfing friend. I walked up 127 stairs from under the earth and was out of breath by the time we shook hands. Instantly we were talking, laughing, and sharing our life experiences. We walked to a London university and went in to the student union's cafe. The Brits geniusly serve beer on campus at discounted rates. I drank a light beer that Gareth reccommended. He's now on the wagon and he drank iced tea.

He lives with his parents in a two-story town house(ish) area of North London. We arrived to his place last night at about 10:15pm with fish&chips in hand. As far as I can remember, that was my first fish&chips experience. I hope its not my last. In an attempt to show how hard core I am, I ate all of the fish. Albeit slowly and with several breaks, I ate the fried piece of cod that was about the size of my fore arm. Gareth and I stayed up late talking and playing music.

We woke up at about 8:30am and prepared to head into the Camden area to go to a Landmark session. Landmark is an awesome program that gets people together to discover their potential and to live the life they want. There are several different ways that one can experience a Landmark course, I reccommend looking them up. As Gareth's guest in the session, I listened to the stories of people who were going through the program and the changes it had made to their lives. It was a positive experience for everyone. Perhaps I will join a group later in life when I am in one place for a longer amount of time. They are all over the world.

After eating lunch with Gareth and the other Landmarkers, I walked down the road a bit to the Camden market. It was crammed with people, food, jewelry, and gothpunk kids smoking cigarrettes. I walked around for a while, but was too tired to be right there in the madness. I walked to a small patch of grass and laid down for a while. I must have dozed off for a few minutes there...it felt nice. When I awoke, I sat up all crunched over and hazy. Gathering strength, I embarked on a mission to find coffee or beer or an internet point.

Here I am at the internet point. Perhaps I will go back to the market to find one of the other two...or both! Or perhaps I will enjoy walking slowly into the sunlight of the afternoon. People watching is sure to provide endless entertainment and I may head up to a park for some prime sightings.

The weather is still warm and beautiful and I'm feeling great. Gareth gets out of class at about 10pm and I'll meet him right around here at a place called the Camden Eye. Meeting Gareth is a blessing. What a wonderful world.

Love. Love. Love.

Kensington and Chelsea

I am writing from Mark's apartment. I met him and his friend at a club called The Troubadour last night and we spent a few hours talking and laughing. His apartment is palatial and he's presently speaking with an architect about renovations. He's only lived here for a few weeks and must get the carpet out and hardwood floors in.

I only have a few more minutes to convince him that I am sane enough to house sit for him next week. He is more than a little wary of this particular, pretty, posh american girl.

"You might be a raving lunatic," he said.
"Might be?" I said.

This is a beautiful part of London (at least that's what I've heard). Its kind of "small townish" with lots of small restaurants, beautiful apartments, and small parks in every square. I did a fair bit of walking around yesterday looking for my hotel. It was easy to find once I realised that I had been walking on the wrong street.

I must go now, Mark is starting his day. We had breakfast together this morning (again at the Troubadour) and he took me to the car wash. I'll go back to the hotel soon, play some music, and walk around. Later this evening I am meeting my first couchsurfing friend. I believe he has an available couch that I could stay at tomorrow night. I'm still crossing my fingers that Mark decides that he needs an american house sitter when he leaves the city next Thursday. He's pretty skeptical in his Englishy kind of way and unused to my good ole fashioned american openness. Only time shall tell.

My journey has had a clean start. Its beautiful here. The sun is shining and I feel no jet lag as of yet.

Until we meet again...

((Love is Peace))

On the Blog Again

The sun is making its daily appearance on Michael's custom-unfit window cushion again. There are a few moments each day when the light peeks over the high rise apartments across the street and spills through the cracks of the bamboo shades. Those of you who haven't had the chance to come see Michael Parkes' apartment must try a little harder. It is on a beautiful street with magical trees and classic stone worked residential buildings.

Michael and I went for a walk in the park yesterday evening around the Jackie Onassis reservoir. The sun had just dipped below the skyline and lit up the Manhatten-scape with warm reds, yellows, electric oranges. We tried to take some pictures that included both our smiling faces and the incredible scenery behind us. We ended up with indiscernable blobs in the foreground and a blue-ish background. No worries, we may try to do some superimposing to make our dreams come true.

After our walk, a beer in an official Dive Bar, and a stir fry dinner with Melissa, I embarked on a solo journey to see Emilie Cardineaux play music downtown. Her performance was inspirational and engaging. She played her keyboard with a rhythm section she hires comprised of rhythm/lead guitar, bass, and drumkit. An hour in to the show, I got up off my barstool and proceeded to cut a rug. Emilie and I have made tentative plans to play some music together in the next couple of days.

Tonight, Michael and I have big plans. We are going to a movie premiere with Angelina Jolie and Clint Eastwood. That's right, we're going to snuggle up close to america's favorite vixon and snag a smooch from a verifiable cowboy. Afterwards, we may head over to the bar that Danielle bartends at and meet Peter. Dancing is sure to ensue.

All immediate plans for the Big Apple aside, I am ready to high-tail it out of this country just in time for the big elections. I already voted and know that Barack Obama is going to win, so I leave in good confidence that this country and this world may continue to sustain life for a while longer. I fly out of JFK on Tuesday and arrive in London on Wednesday morning. I'll stay in a hotel for the first two nights (thanks to the groundwork of Tom Mathien) and then I'll couch surf.* I have my guitar, my boots, and some warm weather gear to accompany my on this journey. I am also carrying three cell phones, 4 outlet adaptors, a digital camera, and two 1GB ipods. Presently I have two books with me, Naked Lunch by Billy Burroughs and Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino. Dad had the Calvino collection sent to Michael's apartment. Its a small book and wonderfully engaging. (Dad said he might even read it...wow!)

I am ready to go, go, go. Who's with me?

**((Peace is Love.))**

*don't know what couchsurfing is? check out the website at www.couchsurfing.com