Leaving on a jet plane

At this time tomorrow I will be at a family dinner in Quito, Ecuador, celebrating an emminent wedding. My life has been condensed to a back pack. My brother bickers with his his girlfriend as I write, and the time for my departure draws nigh.

Nobody walks in LA

It's true.

The server

DSCN1371
Originally uploaded by Cameron/Duff.

When she discovered I was thirty-two, she was surprised and told me I looked much younger. I did not pay this comment much heed, but later when the boys had gone for cigarettes, to the bathroom, and back to the room for more money, she leaned over and asked "Seriously, what's the secret to staying youthful?" She asked this in her Upper Maine accent that was so strong I often thought she was joking. I had to watch myself or I would unconsciously start imitating her. I shrugged, and said "I don't know, stay happy. and be careful with the boose." I don't know what possessed me to add this. Her eyes flicked down to her third (fourth? fifth?) scotch of the evening, and she leaned back in her chair. "Yah," she said, "I should be careful." Why did I respond at all? I think I look about 32, not so much younger. At twenty-five she didn't look old, but there was a tangible sadness about her- a deep weariness. I felt like I saw the marks that would grow into the unmistakable scarring of the long term alcoholic, and maybe I wanted to warn her. Presumptuous, yet as the evening unfolded, I did not envy her road.

Mis amigos

little head
Originally uploaded by Cameron/Duff.

"See, this is why I can't go to the same place twice. I've never seen this view- THIS!" said A. as he gestured out towards the golden gate bridge. The fog rolled in evoking sandburg's "little cat feet", but then parted revealing sun, water, and this red metal act of suspension that really is a something to behold. Gulp, the fog swallowed it again, and we wandered to explore the buildings.

Perfect Date

I am dealing with the fact that I love this town. After I took a beautifully sunny bike ride on our old one speed along the beach to dance class, Chickzilla met me and we had a lovely dinner at a nice restaraunt. The fancy dinner unplanned, we sported old jeans, flip flops, and hoodies- my hair twisted in sweaty loose braids. Later, slightly tipsy, we wandered down Pacific Ave and were delighted to encounter a jug band, the Dandelion Junk Queens, pounding out some truly racous music on the saw, washtub bass, washboard, and, dear to my heart, accordian. They played pirate songs and Krass covers. Then they played a waltz and we danced on the sidewalk, joined by two fellows travelling with the band. I was struck by the romance of their dirty carharts, bandanas hanging off their belt loops, piercings, loudly tapping boot heels, grubby hats, their freedom. After rolling a smoke from one of the waltzing fellows, we dropped a few dollars in their can, and sashayed down the street. In one of my fantasy parallel universes, I am am on a street corner, singing my heart out with the accordian, busking for a few dollars to buy a pint of whiskey or find my way home.

Check them out:

the Dandelion Junk Queens

In motion

Finally the car arrives and I can be still, for the moment. I signed up for this- adventure and new places, yet I cannot wait to arrive somewhere and BE for a little while. It seems odd that when that time comes I will be thousands of miles away in a Spanish Speaking country on another continent, yet this is the truth of the matter.
Here is the run down:
June 11, Fredericksburg, TX
June 12-18 Pescadero, CA
June 19-21, White Salmon, WA
June 24, somewhere near the border of OR and CA
June 23-30, Pescadero, CA (goodbye Pescadero home...)
July 1, Northridge, CA
July 2-9, Pecos, NM
July 10-12, Santa Fe, NM
July 13, Mt. Princeton, CO
July 14-27, in and out of the High House, Conifer, CO
July 27-28, Bellingham, WA
July 29 Madras, OR
July 30, Bend OR
July 31-August 1, White Salmon, WA
Aug 2, Forest Grove, OR
Aug 3, Castle Crags, CA
Aug 4, Santa Cruz, CA

and more to come...