After the Equinox and a rant

A day of rest- happy Saturday. Got to sleep late. It's good because I was out till 12:30 last night, driving home drunk friends. It was nice to go out on the town, to see Bellingham get a little bit crazy in the evening. Downtown is a boppin' scene, or at least it was last night because the weather was fine. Flip flops for me too- that is how nice it was. It was really nice to have dinner with Barbara and Jyoti last night too. We had chili and some nice discussion before I left early and met with some colleagues and friends.

A bit weirded out by my landlord telling me how to live. He has to come down here every once in a while and he was quick to see a fan on and the heat on (set at 65). He is right in saying that I don't need those things on while I am gone. But the heat didn't even kick on for two days until after it was set. And he ought not tell me that the fan only needs to be on for 15 minutes. I can tell it needs to be on longer. The gist is that it was just weird coming home to a note on my desk last night. This is not that big of a deal, but I wrote it out anyway because it was streaming through my head.

I will sit and write a long overdue paper this gorgeous sunny weekend. That is OK. It's time I did it. Other folks are going to the Institute for an anniversary picnic.

Here is my opportunity to rail against that place. These are my feelings and they are not wrong or right. But they should be set free. I worked hard for a year and never got a thank you. Not a little note. I don't expect it, but I guess I thought it would be nice. You pay $15,000 to work and basically give another $15,000 free labor (more?) to a place, you think they'd have the class and tact to write a thank you note. I suppose I will earn a "certificate" in March, but small details are very important. A good lesson for me to have learned- small thank you's matter.

The last piece is that I feel slighted. I worked pretty hard but did one thing that I probably shouldn't have done. That one thing did no harm to anyone, but I "bragged" about it to others. It was blown out of proportion by two people I trusted. They were quick to turn on me and "tell on me" and after that the attitude of other folks changed. I am disgusted that after all that time, they didn't even talk to me first. That shows me that they saw me as a free laborer instead of a person. With the change of the administration's attitude toward me soon thereafter, without remembering the good work I had done, I feel like my work was for naught. Fortunately, the Institute can continue its system of free labor under the guise of education while they milk the federal government for money unknowingly too. There, I said it. It's true. They wonder why the poorer conservative community hates their existence. It is a beacon of flourishing and money, like a nature hotel, while tourists drive by their rural poverty and drug-stricken communities.

I sound bitter. I guess you get stepped on enough, you are bound to say something. And while the Institute's celebration of 25 years begins in a couple of hours, it would be wiser to reflect and see that their growing business is losing track of the familiarity that made it strong in the first place. Money rules, even in the non-profit sector, and mission comes second. It's a funny lesson to learn and another reminder that if I am going to work hard when money is involved it should be for big bucks. I shouldn't try to nickel and dime others in the sake of "good will."

Wow, this blog went wild. I guess those thoughts had to be expressed after all. I feel better after having written it out. I am glad I had the experience of a year up there, and so perhaps I should have written nothing at all. But I woke up and this all continued to weigh on me. Instead of letting it sit, I decided to write. I want to write some positive vibes to start the day- after all it is gorgeous and should be nice at the farmer's market. But I don't look at this as negative. More just an opportunity to get out feelings. on to breakfast.

Ok, I'll try this

So, an article that Wayne sent me said to write everyday. Even a paragraph. That way I can learn to write like I speak. And someone the other day told me that I tell decent stories. I always think that people lose interest in my stories. I guess it's because I remember the details, get sidetracked and try to add a lot of background. In this day and age, folks want it fast and if they are into taking their time, they will read! So, I should practice writing like I speak and those who have the patience and gumption to read, will do it. Perhaps they will read not just this blog, but other stories too if I can get around to writing them. The other piece of advice was to write in public (like this blog) just like I would speak in public. OK. Let's try it.

Clint and Alex stayed here for two nights. They found a place to live, so they packed up and headed out this morning. It was nice having visitors even though my place is a mess and I am still working out the kinks of living here. My view is tremendous and very inspirational.

My classes are going to be a lot of work. I have been to three classes (Beginning yoga!, Conservation Psychology and Foundations of Environmental Education.) Today is Language and Discourse (with respect to the environment of course) and I expect to settle into that one also as the professor is taking a more historical approach I think. There is a LOT of writing and reading for me to do. And with abundant tea and incense, I suspect that my humble abode will turn into a sanctuary of learning and peace. That is what I would like.

I'm still interested in finding a sea kayak. I am still interested in training. I am still interested in compiling years worth of notes into some stories from traveling. After all, the individual experiences were nice, but it means a lot more if I can share them. Then I can truly come to grips with the lessons and context of my life. And then, I can throw out my notes finally, after having schlepped them across the Pacific and back already... twice (both south [Chile] and west [Japan] from the West coast)

And let's add a relatively recent picture too! This is White Mountain-Heather (Cassiope mertensiana) atop Trapper's Peak (5966 feet) with Mt. Triumph (7240 feet) looming in the background. Kate and I summitted in August.

change of diet

Moved into my new place. (Still have to write about the summer and Japan). Thus, very backlogged, I am going to keep up with the present and keep chipping away at the past (including a paper that was due 6 weeks ago... ahhh!). Today I ate a ton of veggies and fruits. Salad of fresh greens from a local garden of a neighbor, stuff from a local farm. Chard, Lettuce, carrots, beets, spinach. Pluots (yellow and purple- they were so good) which are a mix between a plum and heaven! Actually I have no idea. Donut peaches were last week and I also had a pear. I am going to swipe a couple of apples from another neighbor's tree... they are letting them all fall to the ground, so I am just trying to prevent the waste. Tomatoes (in the salads) and potatoes (french fries with some Yakushima salt!) and blackberries in the form of a cobbler! Onions in the eggs this morning- which I will implore a neighbor with 30 chickens in his yard to see if he has extras.

Lots of veggies and fruits. I need some more carbs... and well, the meat I am working on eating less. I'm aiming to cook only birds and fish, leaving the four-legged ones alone. That is not to say I will stop eating flesh from those creatures. I just won't cook it for myself or order it at restaurants (but shredded beef tacos are so good--- of course, there are exceptions!) More fresh goodness in my life... we'll see if this can keep up through the winter or how much it will change. Local and fresh produce and fruits will take center stage with smaller portions of meat. And load the carbs too- it's gonna be a cold winter!

abroad

It's important that I keep writing. I have like three blogs in my head and no time to put them down. Nor to download the pictures. The first one will be about teaching teens about climate science in the backcountry all summer. The next one will be about transitioning to Bellingham (city of 80,000) from Diablo (hamlet of 50?)... from the mountains back to the sea. And the next will be about a visit to Japan. Of course, I can't upload these pictures right now,but I want to get this out so that I at least know that I haven't gone too much more than TWO MONTHS without blogging. Oy.