Life in this moment

Hey all,
I'm happy to report that I just got back, a little sunburned and a lot happy, from a camping trip with Murray, Badger and Gweedo on the coast of the Pacific. As soon as Gweedo gets home from work and I can snag his camera I'll add pictures to this post. It was a lot of great, mostly-wholesome fun involving shellfish, whales, forts, an overly-territorial seagull and more chicken than you can fit in a bucket (or a Dutch oven, for that matter). My life here's been pretty low-key lately and judging from the stories, California was probably the calmest part of the boys' so-far three-week drive across country, but at least for me the visit was magic soul medicine. I even got to talk to Court and Smitler on the phone, making it official: I'm homesick for you guys!!! Let these pictures serve as motivation to the rest of you who have tossed around the idea of migrating out here (either for visits or for life) and are still trying to decide. The midatlantic may have a lot of inner charm but there's no denying that the Pacific has the most bomb-ass view you've ever seen. The pictures really don't do it justice.
Ready to pack up the car yet? No? OK, well there's more...


In other news, my spirits are kinda up for a few reasons:
1) (por supuesto) seeing Murray and Badger
2) it's spring! Spring is BEAUTIFUL here - flowers are popping out of everything and it's warm and once again I'm getting my hopes up about maybe growing a garden. It's a long shot since my backyard consists of gravel and concrete - not very arable - but there's still a part of me that's holding out for the possibility of a generous friend with a sweet patch of dirt.
3) I'm getting into the last few months of my VISTA placement and realizing that not only do I get to go out and find something else to do (Sweet!), but that I have gotten pretty much everything (education-wise, y'know, skills an' such) out of this placement that I was looking for. AND I also killed one Stafford loan, which is a sweet start to reclaiming my freedom from the bank. Now I get to start the process that VISTA calls "achieving sustainability," or working my way out of a job by training several other people to do the work I've made for myself... and then wishing them good luck as I make a really slick getaway. Some tell me that this would usually be called "bailing out" - however, AmeriCorps VISTA actually encourages this behavior and if you ask me, that's a good thing. This pseudo-government job feels entirely too much like work, and I'm not even working that hard, which I also feel guilty about. Whereas I usually work like a fiend because I love it, this year I've honestly worked only sorta hard and also killed a lot of time, so if I replace myself with 3 new people they will probably do like a 20x better job than the one I've been doing.
Don't know what's gonna be next yet, although I have been doing a lot of thinking about agriculture and nutrition (together) so I'm looking into related stuff. Whatever comes next, I want it to be something I'll work myself to death at and love the shit out of every minute. And also preferrably be able to travel. I dunno. Is that asking too much?
4) Reason #4 that I'm all giddy is that Gweedo and I are steadily approaching our 1-year anniversary on May 10! Can you believe it, kids? Gweedo likes to say we're "goin' for the record." LOL, I think he finds that funnier than I do, but hey. He's got a point. It is a record.
Well, anyway, here's to camping trips, mountain men, sweet patches of dirt, new horizons and broken records.
So much love to all you guys...

p.s. apologies for going a little crazy with the labels. i'm still kinda figuring out how to use them.

MIDATLANTICISM?

Only because of late I've been cruisin' and bruisin' on Atlantic Ave in BK, and how it feels like an incredible crossroads where a part of me splits and veers off down different spines of Brooklyn

Okay, since we're feeling tangential and abstract, how about the Atlantic? I've never actually been to any other ocean. I've been on both sides of the Atlantic, up and down in different places. It's like a longlong green backyard that a part of me needs to have, whereever I go. Why? Because I grew up a beach kid. You've got your beach kids, and your camping kids. It's not a matter of what you like better, it's what you know better, and what you breathe better, and what grew up inside of you better. A lot of me grew up on the Jersey Shore, and Jones Beach, and for some godawful and godawesome reason, Coney Island. I am looking forward to the beach this summer. Let me know if you want to go for a shore walk. I might have tidbits about things we find.

Godspeed, look for the waters.

repent, ye non-posters

hey all,
i have to apologize for not posting lately (while not really posting much here in the meantime) because i'm short on both time and the means to express myself properly. i'm in Buras, Louisiana which is a small town on a peninsula reaching down into the Gulf of Mexico and, as it turns out, is in the heart of Cajun country. someone told me yesterday "we're at the bottom of the world," which in some ways (both literally and figuratively) seems true, sometimes. it's weird- i feel like i'm on a different planet and somehow, i kind of don't want to leave. i came here for 2 weeks but have decided to stay longer-- maybe a month or more. i want to tell you about all the amazing, sometimes completely insane, times i'm having and i just don't have the time or the verbal ability to put it all into words. i'm keeping a journal and i'll tell you all stories when I see you again. perhaps I'll even blog them when i get the chance. in any case, i still love you all and miss you and if you get the inclination to come visit me at the bottom of the world anytime this month, please know you're always welcome.
love,
Doyle

YEAH

Because listen.

We need to do some kind of collaborative run down on how awesome the Cribs and Teddie were.

Brief run down?

The Cribs = shitty on purpose and adorable as a result.

Teddie = DEAD FUCKING ON

You know what I'm talkin' bout, C.

i promise

to write more frequently in this blog, starting tuesday. be prepared for an epic post.

HEY

Dear Courtney, Doyle, and Takashi,

Yo, you're totally leaving blog behind. I'd keep going, but it looks embarassing when every entry is about FRIENDS, FEELINGS, and HOW MUCH I LOVE MY HAIR.

Please remedy.

Fondly,

Workoff

THE KIDS

In fairness, this should be a dual post, w. two contributors

Two blips convened in the midatlantic state of NJ last night, where Courtney and I found the Jersey version of us kids.

We met these kids from the College of NJ through her high school peeps. These kids, they were clever and funny just like us.

I was kind of glad to see us, in a different kind of context, and to realize that there are usses all across the country.

Cos dude, we're pretty fucking awesome.

SPRING

Spring is one of my favorite concepts.

Right now it is based on my love for a few things (LIST VERSION AVEC BULLETS):

- Girlier new haircut
- Looking at my green hi top Chucks
- Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks"
- Running around in fields
- Catch
- Geneseo in top form
- Brunch w. mimosas, poached eggs, and COURTNEY

In spite of Nor'easters, I am excited. In anticipation of, I've already revved up a mix. I still enjoy mixes, or PLAYLISTS as we the ipod generation will now call them. I think this one has a good swell to it.

Brian Jonestown Massacre - "Whoever you are"
Albert Hammond Jr - "In Transit"
Peter, Bjorn, and John- "Young Folks"
Belle and Sebastian - "Women's Realm"
Sufjan Stevens - "Chicago"
Ted Leo Rx - "Me and Mia"
The Thermals - "Pillar of Salt"
Neutral Milk Hotel - "Holland 1945"
Ambulance LTD - "Heavy Lifting"
The Cure - "Friday I'm in love"

Now here's one. Justifiably, I've played out Pillar of Salt and Me and Mia. I'm not sure they fit my SPRING vibe. If you can find a decent substition, I will cement it into the mixlist.

THANKS

s'pose i should start practicing saying "y'all" now

So I got an internship in Mobile, Alabama and will be moving there for the summer. It'll be nice to be up an' moving again, and to go South for the first time in about 6 years or so. The planning for this thing was a lil' spontaneous (e.g. the last-second decision to catch a bus from ohio and make a several-stop trip out of the deal rather than flying or driving straigiht down) but only a lil'. I've got a long way to go before i'm hopping around the country lone ranger style, all unpredictable and mysterious-like. Anyway, I'll get to see some of the family for a few days, then spend 2 weeks in New Orleans, before getting settled in Mobile. Hopefully it'll be a good trip.
Looks like I'll be making a stop in Rochester (maybe Geneseo, depending on time constraints) eithier Wednesday thru Friday or just Friday right before 'Stine and I blow out of town. I won't have a car of my own so a) mobility will be limited (i.e. visits may have to be very planned and may include lots of other-people-coming-to-me!) and b) poor 'Stine is gonna be stuck with me for a loooooong time! I'll try to make it up to her-bake her some bread or something. I dunno.
That's all that's new with me right now, but updates to come. Hope to see you all sometime.

Take a Letter!

Dear Geneseo,

I think it might be time for one last go around, while kids still live in town. Let me know when you are habitable (read: when winter has calmed down enough so that it doesn't blow angry in my face) so that i can come visit again.

Unfortunately, and in an unfortunately adult way, i will have to negotiate this trip around workin' on the weekend, which has been happening too often lately. And Dear Geneseo, let me know if you want me back.


Love,

Angela