Sleeping in this morning
Reconnecting with Taylor via skype
The house is *almost* organized
The gorgeous moon over the trees
Slipping into a freshly made bed with clean, scented sheets
Overnight with Brenda in San Anselmo: How we can meet and catch up immediately, talking for hours about good, interesting, meaningful things
The way that longtime friends remind you about selves you’ve forgotten: the ones who show you how far you’ve come since, and the ones who remind you how deep you go now
The moonlit walk through dark neighborhoods up to the seminary
Talking about therapeutic practice and being inspired to explore that part of my life again
Learning from B’s unique experiences; having my eyes opened to things I’d not considered before
Just the colors of sun tree and sky - I hope I never tire of them
May:
We’re making a home again
A visit from Phil - with more to come in June
The drive down 680 is still beautiful, and changing with the seasons
ATL trip, SFO - Adam Sears (SWA manager) showing up in the parking lot when I had one too many articles to carry.
ATL - things just going like clockwork - catching the plane, someone picking up a dropped box for me, the full moon.
ATL - the beautiful country road that is Northside, fronted by amazing houses.
ATL - the serendipity of the Carl Jung’s patients’ mandalas exhibit
ATL - the climate.
April:
Last dinner at Biwa with Elena and Jeanne
The deep or unexpected conversations at our second annual goodbye party
That I got to go see Jeff Mangum the day after I’d missed his concert due to a 101.3 fever.
An excellent parking spot that had me first out of the lot after the concert.
Feeling such joy at the opening song I wanted to just… engulf… everything: the theater, the music, the crystalline lights, the audience - to surround them all because I wanted to hold on to the moment forever. That I got to have that experience at all.
A good night’s sleep in a luxurious hotel bed.
Coworkers who make me laugh every day.
The commute down the 680 is really, really beautiful.
I’m (eventually) going to live in the part of California that always made me exclaim about its beauty.
I have my health.
8/9 Skype wine with Crystal
8/10 Faye arrived safely, and all the Stillards are well.
8/11 Got to participate in an interesting seminar on social media research. Also, BiRite salted caramel ice cream, eaten with Dana in Dolores Park.
8/12 Driving down 1 toward San Simeon, toward a full moon.
The drive down 101 earlier that afternoon, fragrant, beautiful, and with friends in the back seat.
Getting exposed to new music.
8/13 A sweet conversation with Liz, the cook at the B&B we stayed at.
Walking on the beach, taking naturalist pictures.
Drinking the best Pinot I’ve ever had, with good company, in a beautiful patio setting.
8/14 More SLO exploration, and especially the tall white eucalyptus trees growing in the plaza.
A gorgeous drive down 101, and even the traffic didn’t *really* bug me, because the road was so beautiful and empty most of the way.
A nice catchup phone conversation with Ryan.
How hard I started laughing after saying “Driving fast on the open road through glorious scenery? I’m in my happy place.” only to round a bend and see bumper-to-bumper traffic that I was stuck in for the next 45 minutes.
Driving toward the moon rise, again, and thinking about how the moon connects me to my family.
Text message from my nephew “We’re all wondering how far away you are.”
Getting to see Phil and family. And then soak in the hot tub.
8/15 Being Auntie Sam in a myriad of ways.
Transitioning through stages each time I go to my mom’s house.
A good, deep conversation with Brandy.
8/16 Lunch with Becky and getting a lead on an estate attorney.
Voicing N’s internal dialogue to her, and seeing her feel understood.
Dinner/kitchen conversation with p & n, and P & D chiming in.
That Phil and I are close, and trust each other.
8/17 Hearing I love you in response from p & n when we said goodbye.
Another glorious drive - north up I-5 - once traffic cleared. The light, the smells, the space, the views - I love it all.
Asking for, and receiving interesting responses to my requests for music to pass the time, including a mix tape.
Good catchup chat with Kristina.
Singing the same song over and over again.
Bill’s text message advising me of the best route once I left the 5 toward Castroville.
I got home safely, and enjoyed the journey even as I made good time.
8/18 Being able to rest. And sort out estate paperwork.
8/19 Bill’s birthday and seeing how many friends we have here.
Commiserating with Moka and Jenn - cracking them up at my super-uncharacteristic behavior.
8/20 SF Street Food fair.
The gorgeous eucalyptus tree on 22nd.
Getting to see live music in a beautiful venue: in this case the straitjackets, and Dave Alvin, at the Great American Music Hall.
Getting a ride home from Dave instead of having to take the bus from the Tenderloin at around 1am.
8/21 Brunch with friends.
Taking care of errands that have been bugging me/us.
Finally watching The Right Stuff.
Out of town friends.
Inspiration from conference speakers at the top of their field.
Having choices, even if they may not seem optimal.
A winding drive down a moody, beautiful coast.
The scents of the Devil’s Slide - sea sage, ocean, eucalyptus x 1000.
The best chai in the world at half-moon bay.
The uncontrolled smile I get when seeing B for the first time after an absence.
Scallop tacos and jicama watermelon salad.
Finally saw the Tonga Room.
Having a weekend dance-card filled with meeting new people and enjoying old friends.
Coffee with Ryan and Dash.
Sage advice and support from a trusted, logical friend.
No one died.
Improv is fun, and I’m much better at it than the last time I did it.
Brynn’s face lighting up when she saw me, and getting to meet Krista.
Deadline extended just when I needed a break.
Responsiveness from people I wouldn’t have expected when I posted a plaintive tweet.
Phone calls with Megan, Kristina, and Brandy.
A deliciously long and restorative nap.
The internet. So life changing.
Clean, running water (was notified of shutdown from midnight - 4am; nice wakeup call)
Dinner and conversation with Jane.
Being able to drop in on Jenn with about 10 minutes’ notice.
Having gained the ability to figure out why something technical isn’t working.
Feeling settled enough to start Health Month again.
An interesting week ahead.
Bill safely arrived in PDX.
Asked for help, got it (even if it didn’t work)
A sweet email from a distant friend (Dana).
Sunny afternoon in a backyard with friends and their two healthy kids (P, S, J, D).
Excellent home-cooked dinner with friends and their lovely, healthy child (G, D, J).
A planned skype call this morning.
Bombay Breakfast tea.
Knowing that the fog is going to burn off, but enjoying the moodiness while it’s here.
